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1996 220 Project

Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 8:07 am
by austin.booth
Good morning Cobalt Crowd,

Like I posted up in the member introduction, I found a 1996 220 with a little under 500 hours with a 454 and Bravo Three. It's been pampered to the nth degree and I am trilled about it. Swimplatform.com swim platform is ordered. Other intended projects include EFI conversion of the 454 :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:, dash rework, and maybe a stereo refresh.
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Re: 1996 220 Project

Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 8:13 am
by austin.booth
First question for the group. I will need a boat lift for this ole girl. Dry weight is listed as 3140 pounds. Presumably that is equipped with the 5.7--not the 454. It has a 59 gal capacity, so roughly 240 pounds there. My options on a lift are 4,500 pounds or 6,800 pounds.

What do y'all recommend? Can I get away with the 4,500 pound lift?

Re: 1996 220 Project

Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 12:53 pm
by Big Block Power
Can you get away with a 4500 Prob but your pushing that limit easily. I would go 6000 lbs. Good for your next boat too.

Re: 1996 220 Project

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2020 10:18 am
by austin.booth
Replaced both trim solenoids, the power trim bracket with a nice stainless one, the starter and starter solenoid, and all the belts. Swim platform starts tomorrow. Going to have a hard time competing with baktasht on this board.

In the mean time, does anyone know where I can get replacements for these?
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Re: 1996 220 Project

Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2020 7:31 pm
by Big Block Power
austin.booth wrote: Wed Nov 11, 2020 10:18 am Replaced both trim solenoids, the power trim bracket with a nice stainless one, the starter and starter solenoid, and all the belts. Swim platform starts tomorrow. Going to have a hard time competing with baktasht on this board.

In the mean time, does anyone know where I can get replacements for these?

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B2BB0BC6-0299-4A76-92CB-D20F277DD9E6.jpeg
Start with your dealer.

Re: 1996 220 Project

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2020 4:14 pm
by akorcovelos
You can probably find NOS on the badge, but I doubt you’ll find a better locker door. That’s aluminum, refinish it, heck, mirror polish that baby and put the original decals back on it would look awesome.

Re: 1996 220 Project

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2020 9:45 pm
by austin.booth
Pardon my ignorance—first time cobalt owner here—what does NOS stand for?

Re: 1996 220 Project

Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2020 10:21 pm
by AsLan7
austin.booth wrote: Thu Nov 12, 2020 9:45 pm Pardon my ignorance—first time cobalt owner here—what does NOS stand for?
.
New old stock.

Re: 1996 220 Project

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2020 9:54 am
by austin.booth
Work has hit a standstill—I’ve got this terrible problem that really gets in the way called a job. In the meantime, I’d like some advice on what I’m doing wrong with my depth finder. The screen is located between my tach and speedometer. It remains blank until I press and hold a silver button on the right switch panel. Once I press and hold it, it sloooowly counts up until it reaches its peak, then beeps and flashes. Is this normal? If the boat is moving, how is this helpful?

I’ve been around boats my whole life and have never seen one that doesn’t read in real time.

Re: 1996 220 Project

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2020 9:24 pm
by bruceb58
Personally I would just stick with a carb unless you go between high altitude and low altitude frequently. Most fuel injection upgrades are just throttle body fuel injections anyway so you aren't going to get anymore power. The only thing you really get is better cold starting. You also lose the reliability of a carb.

I have a carb on my Wellcraft that I currently own and am selling. Considered going to FI at some point and decided against it.

Re: 1996 220 Project

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2020 9:33 pm
by Big Block Power
bruceb58 wrote: Thu Dec 03, 2020 9:24 pm Personally I would just stick with a carb unless you go between high altitude and low altitude frequently. Most fuel injection upgrades are just throttle body fuel injections anyway so you aren't going to get anymore power. The only thing you really get is better cold starting. You also lose the reliability of a carb.

I have a carb on my Wellcraft that I currently own and am selling. Considered going to FI at some point and decided against it.
I would pull that rochester or Quadra jet off that bad boy and put her on your new one 👍

Re: 1996 220 Project

Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2020 10:06 pm
by bruceb58
Big Block Power wrote: Thu Dec 03, 2020 9:33 pm
bruceb58 wrote: Thu Dec 03, 2020 9:24 pm Personally I would just stick with a carb unless you go between high altitude and low altitude frequently. Most fuel injection upgrades are just throttle body fuel injections anyway so you aren't going to get anymore power. The only thing you really get is better cold starting. You also lose the reliability of a carb.

I have a carb on my Wellcraft that I currently own and am selling. Considered going to FI at some point and decided against it.
I would pull that rochester or Quadra jet off that bad boy and put her on your new one 👍
It has a 4 barrel Holley.

I like multi port fuel injection, especially a closed loop system like modern engines have...not a huge fan of throttle bodies

Re: 1996 220 Project

Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2020 6:18 am
by Big Block Power
bruceb58 wrote: Thu Dec 03, 2020 10:06 pm
Big Block Power wrote: Thu Dec 03, 2020 9:33 pm
bruceb58 wrote: Thu Dec 03, 2020 9:24 pm Personally I would just stick with a carb unless you go between high altitude and low altitude frequently. Most fuel injection upgrades are just throttle body fuel injections anyway so you aren't going to get anymore power. The only thing you really get is better cold starting. You also lose the reliability of a carb.

I have a carb on my Wellcraft that I currently own and am selling. Considered going to FI at some point and decided against it.
I would pull that rochester or Quadra jet off that bad boy and put her on your new one 👍
It has a 4 barrel Holley.

I like multi port fuel injection, especially a closed loop system like modern engines have...not a huge fan of throttle bodies
You know as far tech goes the throttle body just didn't break! The old chevy truck just ran and ran. You couldn't kill them. I'll take the old throttle body any day. My donzi had it too. Funny 280 hp I think it was and that boat did 63 no problem in a 20 ft open bow! Loved that boat. Prob still my fav to drive!

Re: 1996 220 Project

Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2020 1:17 pm
by dustinm
Big Block Power wrote: Fri Dec 04, 2020 6:18 am
bruceb58 wrote: Thu Dec 03, 2020 10:06 pm
Big Block Power wrote: Thu Dec 03, 2020 9:33 pm

I would pull that rochester or Quadra jet off that bad boy and put her on your new one 👍
It has a 4 barrel Holley.

I like multi port fuel injection, especially a closed loop system like modern engines have...not a huge fan of throttle bodies
You know as far tech goes the throttle body just didn't break! The old chevy truck just ran and ran. You couldn't kill them. I'll take the old throttle body any day. My donzi had it too. Funny 280 hp I think it was and that boat did 63 no problem in a 20 ft open bow! Loved that boat. Prob still my fav to drive!
They didnt break because they didnt have any power. My '89 K5 Blazer with tbi 350 wouldnt even spin a tire!

Re: 1996 220 Project

Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2020 2:33 pm
by austin.booth
The shop you see in the background is the family business: Riverside Performance Engines. They started out as Riverside Marine and was the factory authorized remanufacturer of Johnson/Evinrude for decades. I left in 2008 to serve in the Marine Corps, but they've since expanded into other markets, to include high performance modifications for street, track, and marine applications. Anyways, the 26' Fountain in the background had a carb 502. They've run a Fitech system on it and seen great results.

If my 454 ever needs to come out, it will be game on. Forged crank, heads, cam, etc. I know, I know....it is a Cobalt after all--not a Fountain. But where's the fun in that?

No love on the depth finder? Bueller? Bueller?