We are looking at a 1990 Scarab 31 excel with twin 460 King Cobra Engines by OMC.

I have NO experience or know anyone with these engines and outdrives in a boat.

I am looking for opinions, pros, cons, etc.

Thanks.

I've heard it's a solid drive system but it's one recurring flaw had something to do with the shift cable/linkage/somethin or another. What was really cool about them was their easy access to the raw water impeller in the upper portion of the outdrive...

My last boat had the King Cobras and I had no problems with them. However, when it came time to sell the boat, it took much longer.

So my only advice is to condider that if you decide to sell this boat, it will be a longer process.

parts availability may be an issue......its real easy to get Merc parts...hell you can even go to K-mart to get stuff for your engine if in a tight bind! But ford/OMC stuff may take a little bit longer to get and or repaired. Just another thought to ponder.

If the shift cable is orange instead of black, It has the correct shift cable. If it's Black.... have it checked out because the gears can be miss worn. Other than that it's a great drive. I had a 1988 king cobra and was pushing 689HP thru it for 8+ years. sold the boat with a stock engine a few years ago, and it's still running today with the 1988 drive.

The early (pre 89 with flat gearcase top) had a dog clutch (like an Alpha) were prone to shifting problems and clutch failure.
The late models (post 89 with humped gearcase top) have a cone clutch and are similar to a Bravo and Volvo.

I had a 1990 King Cobra (420HP) that was a great drive. The steering is better and the drive has less gear lash than a Bravo.

Echo pretty much what everyone else said. The Ford/OMC is not just as desirable a drivetrain as is the Chevy/Merc. The value of the boat may be less due to this package. I would check to see if this is a true statement. Merc pwr Vs. OMC pwrd boat.

Parts for the OMC will be expensive. Repairs/parts for this combo will be expensive and kinda hard to find. Brother in Law had a cobra drive and parts were alot more $$$$ than Merc.

The 460 Ford engine is a solid foundation, but again, not as desirable as a Chevy due to ease and access to parts. Re-sale as time goes on may be hindered due this combo.....

As an FYI, OMC is done with generally. Bankrupt and bought out by Bombadier/Seadoo. They also have Evinrude under their belt. As far as I am aware OMC doesnt exist a new manufacturer of parts. Basically the benefit of buying them was for the rights to patents etc.....

Personally, I would look for a boat with a Merc package. But thats just my personal preference and opinion.

Good Luck.

I went to look at a Donzi with 460 King Cobras once, They didn't tell me it had them or I would have saved my gas and time.

I have a 92 King Cobra nd have had no problems with parts. I had a zinc anode inside the prop shaft housing get caught in the prop and it broke the propshaft carrier. No problem and it was $80 part. Mine has a GM454 though so motor parts are easy.