Prop won't spin forward or reverse

[tomh9007]

I have an 1987 VIP Victory with an OMC Cobra 4.3 Stern Drive Unit. Numbers on the side of the drive Unit are Model#983842 Serial#T0452673

I traded a lady an old motorcycle for this boat knowing that she was having issues with it. She said last summer while in the lake the boat was stalling when throttled up but started back up and eased throttle to get to shore.

I put the muffs on her and she fired right up yesterday but it does not seam to go into gear. The stick is tough to get out of neutral but easy after that. With no power (not running) in neutral the prop spins free, with the stick in forward or reverse it spins with one hand either direction. I can feel a little resistance but hear no grinding. I pulled the top cover off and the gears seem to be moving with the prop.

Where do I go from here to trouble shoot this problem? I just ordered all the manuals. And have read the hastings article. Am I only in need of a cable adjustment? Or should I check some other things out?

Thanks guys!!

I am new here and new to IO Boats

 

[Don S]

Re: Prop won't spin forward or reverse

If you can see the gears moving when you turn the prop, my guess is the coupler is spun. Pull the outdrive off and look where the shaft goes into the engine coupler. Probably all the splines are gone. You will probably see metal shavings around the coupler also.

 

[tomh9007]

Re: Prop won't spin forward or reverse

Would these metal shavings get inside the motor? Is there anything I need to do special to pull the outdrive? I am still waiting for my manual but am very mechanically inclined to take on this task with out the book. I just need to make sure not to do something stupid while removing the drive.

 

[Don S]

Re: Prop won't spin forward or reverse

Removing the drive is easy. Remove the pin holding the trim cylinders to the outdrive. Remove 6 nuts and pull it off.

The shavings won't get into the engine. The coupler is bolted to the flywheel.

You could put it in fwd gear and have someone turn the prop CCW and see if the shaft is turning INSIDE the boat where it goes into the coupler.

 

[tomh9007]

Re: Prop won't spin forward or reverse

Well since I am alone and i noticed the plug on the left side has been removed and the ss plate is now floating in water inside there i have to pull it off there to get that back together. At least I think I do....

 

[Coors]

Re: Prop won't spin forward or reverse

The infamous cobra screw gets removed again.
Yeah, while you have the drive off, separate it and fish out the backing retainer.When you re-install it, fill the screw head with something, so nobody will try to un-screw it again.

 

[tomh9007]

Re: Prop won't spin forward or reverse

You could put it in fwd gear and have someone turn the prop CCW and see if the shaft is turning INSIDE the boat where it goes into the coupler.

I had a neighbor turn the prop while in fwd gear and i felt the shaft turning in the boat before the coupler(had to feel underneath the part covering it)... Is the prop supposed to turn at all while in gear?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Prop won't spin forward or reverse

i felt the shaft turning in the boat before the coupler
Is the prop supposed to turn at all while in gear?

Ayuh,....... It sure does,......

Sounds like your Coupler is Junk...........

 

[tomh9007]

Re: Prop won't spin forward or reverse

outstanding!! I think so too. I still am being a sissy and waiting for the manuals to come in the mail before I pull the out drive off. I know I am told it is one pin and six nuts. Is there no connection to undo once i start to pull that off there? I am sure it is heavy and I don't want to drop it once I get started!!

 

[Don S]

Re: Prop won't spin forward or reverse

I just replied to this post about an hour ago, and now it's gone.

Will do it again.

I had a neighbor turn the prop while in fwd gear and i felt the shaft turning in the boat before the coupler

You have to turn the prop Counter Clock Wise, if you turn it clockwise, it will just ratchet over the clutch dogs.
When turning CCW, it shouldn't turn unless you turn the engine too. So, if the shaft going into the coupler is turning and the engine isn't, then the coupler is (as Bondo says) Junk.
Time to pull the engine and install a new one.
There are 2 things that cause that to happen, being out of alignment and no lubrication. You need an alignment bar to align the engine to the gimbal bearing and the drive needs to be removed YEARLY and the splines greased or you will............. uhhhhh, loose a coupler.

 

[Don S]

Re: Prop won't spin forward or reverse

Is there no connection to undo once i start to pull that off there?

Nope, the shaft just slides out of the coupler and the shift is not attached to the drive.

I am sure it is heavy and I don't want to drop it once I get started!!

Just put some boards under it so it's just touching them. Pull the drive back and lay it down. Keep your fingers out of the ujoints....... Trust me on that, they do bite.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Prop won't spin forward or reverse

I am sure it is heavy

Ayuh,........ About 80 lbs.....

I just replied to this post about an hour ago, and now it's gone.
Will do it again.

Ayuh,....... I thought it was Me,........ Been goin' on for about 24hrs. or so......

 

[tomh9007]

Re: Prop won't spin forward or reverse

Time to pull the engine and install a new one.

So I have to pull the engine to replace the coupler?

 

[Don S]

Re: Prop won't spin forward or reverse

Sure do

 

[Bondo]

Re: Prop won't spin forward or reverse

So I have to pull the engine to replace the coupler?

Ayuh,.....

It's bolted to the Flywheel, Under the Flywheel Cover......

 

[tomh9007]

Re: Prop won't spin forward or reverse

Well I guess that 10' A Frame is gonna get put to use then!!! I wish I had a picture of an alignment tool for the reinstall. I am sure I can make whatever I need down at the machine shop.

 

[Don S]

Re: Prop won't spin forward or reverse

Here is how it's used,

And here is the sizes of the alignment bar.

 

[tomh9007]

Re: Prop won't spin forward or reverse

Thank you so much!! I am going to make one of these asap... I will probably find other things in this project and saying that I will be posting this in projects with pictures...I really like this forum and think I have found a new home to hang out at online!!!

 

[Coors]

Re: Prop won't spin forward or reverse

wait for the manual; put it in neutral first.