OMC No Reverse

[brodie123]

I have a friends boat which has a 1989 OMC 2.3 Ford with OMC Cobra outdrive.

The forward gear works but no reverse.

I pulled the shifter cable off and pushed it in all the way - reverse then clicked in.

I tried adjusting the linkage cables but the shifter cable needd to moved so far that it won't allow Forward to click in properly.

I have the service manual but it does not offer trouble shooting for this specific item other than to adjust the cabling.

I pulled the gear oil screws and found a small amount of metal shavings (fine).

Any way to easily test the condition of the gears without pulling them?

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Chris

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: OMC No Reverse

What manual do you have?
The factory OMC Cobra manual steps you through the adjustments with pictures.

The lower shift cable is gone if it has no reverse and needs that much adjustment.
Hopefully the gears in the lower survived..

 

[brodie123]

Re: OMC No Reverse

I'm not quite sure what you mean by the lower shift cable - are you referring to inside the outdrive itself? My manual is a Seloc and yes the adjustment guide is there but still no reverse.

Wht's the best way to test for the cause?

Thx

Chris

 

[sea wolf]

Re: OMC No Reverse

There are 2 cables bracketed to your engine. The lower cable is the one that needs to be adjusted. It should be red. If it's not, it's probably the original. Get rid of it. And get rid of the Seloc manuel. You need an OMC shop manuel. Or do a search here for Stuart Hastings for a link to the adjustment procedure. Get ready to pull the drive unit. It's impossible to properly adjust the cable with the drive in place. And you'll need a new housing gasket.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: OMC No Reverse

The lower cable actually goes from the linkage bracket down through the transom.
The Seloc book is useless for the shift adjustments.
Those lower cables fail all the time and are 90% of shift problems on a Cobra..

The drive MUST be pulled and the cable replaced..If not you will destroy the lower gears and will spend a couple thousand getting it all fixed.
Plus this would be a great time to grease the u-joints and inspect the gimbal bearing and bellows that should be serviced every year.

This is the REAL manual.Email the seller and give him the serial number off the drive to be sure.Tell him Gary in NC sent you.He will make sure thats the correct manual.He is very helpful and a friend of mine.
Ships fast too...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989...5QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Manuals_Literature

 

[brodie123]

Re: OMC No Reverse

Thanks. What exactly should I be looking for when I drop the outdrive? Sounds like the other end of the cable will be obviously damdged? Please let me know what to be looking for.

I'll post here what I find.

thank you!

 

[bandit86]

Re: OMC No Reverse

see if the shift rod goes up and down fine. mine had scales built up on it and wouldnt go into reverse. cleaned it and works mint

 

[brodie123]

Re: OMC No Reverse

I removed the outdrive. There is no apparent wearing or damage on the cable. I'm unsure what parts to replace that my be worn here.

I'm going to try adjusting the lower cable end to see if it will engage then.

any suggestions here? Could the problem be in the lower gear box?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: OMC No Reverse

Since you already verified that you can get it into reverse I believe it is a cable problem. Check the cable housing as its enters the drive. You can see this without pulling the drive in the tilted up position. That is where these cables fail. If the housing is pulling away from the ferule at the end of the cable at all, you need to replace the cable.

 

[brodie123]

Re: OMC No Reverse

Thank you. I see where the cable is worn away in behind. Thank you very much.

 

[ou18]

Re: OMC No Reverse

Transom Bracket shift cable. I had the exact same problem
See the links in my signature for the Factory OMC Manual then locate the section listed as Transom Bracket shift cable. I scanned my factory manual today and posted it to the following site. You can download it for free. It covers your engine and outdrive.

 

[brodie123]

Re: OMC No Reverse

This site is the best! Thank you!

I have the same problem with an outboard Merc - any common problems w/no reverse on those?