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  1. Lou C

    Changing the U-Joint on an OMC Cobra Out Drive, OD

    The bearing carrier pushes into the aft end of the bellows and that has to seal. Now when you repaired it, is the shape the same as original? If not then that could cause a leak. One thing I have always done was coat that area of the bearing carrier with Evinrude triple guard grease and also the...
  2. Lou C

    Greasing the Gimbal

    I do it yearly. I grease it after I pull the drive while turning it by hand so I can check it for smooth movement.
  3. Lou C

    going to buy a used mercruiser

    What about the rest of the boat? That era of a ‘glass/wood boat will have plenty of places for rot to have developed, be very careful!
  4. Lou C

    Changing the U-Joint on an OMC Cobra Out Drive, OD

    When I get a chance, I'll take a look at my OMC Cobra FSM to see what the procedure is for doing this job.
  5. Lou C

    OMC COBRA 5.8 EFI and ESA

    Common leak areas on the Cobra are the water pump adapter seal and the shift rod seal.
  6. Lou C

    Changing the U-Joint on an OMC Cobra Out Drive, OD

    GLM appears to make it but the quality of their parts is questionable sometimes. I'd also check if Sierra makes it. Other options are used, or having yours restored to the point where it's usable. OEM is not available..... Not cheap, and I'm not sure but the gear on the end may have to be...
  7. Lou C

    Changing the U-Joint on an OMC Cobra Out Drive, OD

    Given the level of corrosion, I agree with the fact that the input shaft seal is likely to leak. I would think about having a shop do it, and maybe replace that whole input shaft/u-joint assembly with a good used one or aftermarket, if the OEM is not available. What year is this? I thought it...
  8. Lou C

    OMC COBRA 5.8 EFI and ESA

    Looks like you have a leaky seal somewhere; the drive sucked in water when it cooled that’s why the level was high.
  9. Lou C

    Suggestions on LongBlock Supplier

    Yes, it depends on how pitted the cast iron of the cylinder walls & the block deck sealing surfaces got from salt water exposure.
  10. Lou C

    OMC COBRA 5.8 EFI and ESA

    No those gears are always running in gear oil Your not shifting from in-gear to neutral is a likely result of: 1) an out of adjustment shift cable 2) ESA system not functioning 3) idle speed too high, or after being set correctly it starts drifting up When you trigger the interrupt switch by...
  11. Lou C

    Suggestions on LongBlock Supplier

    The other day when I drained the water out of the block I pulled the ‘stat housing like I do every few years to make sure the manifold water passage isn’t getting thin and it still seems really solid. If the rest of the block is that good inside I wonder if I could just pull the heads that I...
  12. Lou C

    OMC COBRA 5.8 EFI and ESA

    Exactly. A too high oil level could be bad seals causing the drive to pull in water, but has nothing to do with shifting problems.
  13. Lou C

    Suggestions on LongBlock Supplier

    I would also see if any automotive machine shops local to you will do a marine build. This saves in shipping if you can just rent a U-Haul to pick it up & have a face to face contact
  14. Lou C

    Removing OD Out Drive - It is Stuck

    This is a common issue to all I/O drive systems, and it is why many people will spend extra money on 4 stroke outboards. On their latest drives I think that Volvo Penta had the option of a water sensor inside the bellows to alert you to water there, a great idea if it works right. The only way...
  15. Lou C

    Is there a way to check for a leak between Transom and OD?

    Leaks from the gasket between the drive and the pivot housing won't put water in the bellows. It will let water in the recess where the shifter bell crank moves, but not in the bellows, they are separate. The Sierra gasket for that is OK, what I do is coat the gasket on both sides with OMC...
  16. Lou C

    Removing OD Out Drive - It is Stuck

    Usually the D/S bellows cracks from age. Inspect yearly & replace as soon as you see small cracks in the rubber. On the shift cable boot, on the OMC Cobra that bellows is inside the boat, so leaks are very uncommon.
  17. Lou C

    4.3 Wet to Dry-Joint Conversion.

    I think once the sealing surfaces get narrowed down it’s time to change em.
  18. Lou C

    4.3 Wet to Dry-Joint Conversion.

    When you say you saw some pitting on the exhaust, do you mean the sealing surfaces? If so that might be the problem, when new they should be free of pits and well machined. Here's an old pic of mine from when I installed them 7 years ago.
  19. Lou C

    Removing OD Out Drive - It is Stuck

    Congrats you got er done!
  20. Lou C

    4.3 Wet to Dry-Joint Conversion.

    I recall reading about this because I thought of converting my OMC over to the Merc dry joint style. I have had the OMC/Volvo style wet joints on it for 7 years and no leaks so far (also Barr aftermarket). Reading up on it, for a Merc that came with wet joint originally, there is a kit to allow...
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