1989 3.0 OMC stern drive help needed

[mikeike99]

I have just recieved this boat on a trade for a quad I had, runs great in the drive on muffs but have a few questions, i have a few screws missing on the stern drive, when I have muffs on and water going in, water comes out of these holes, I figure they are access holes, was wondering what they are and if I need to remove stern to put a screw back in, also does anyone know what cadorette model I have by the pics I have added, would be nice to know, as you see by the pics of stern I have ordered a new impeller and housing and just waiting for it to come in. I have also noticed that when I engage the throttle, it is hesitant to move, any adjustments I can do or do I just buy a new one, when I engage throttle, I have to move it almost half way for boat to go?
The boat is a 1989 17.5 ft cadorette bow rider
Any and all help is appreciated.

thanks guys
Hope the pictures give a clear view of the holes

 

[danond]

Re: 1989 3.0 OMC stern drive help needed

They're not access holes. They're not supposed to be removed. Unfortunately the nuts have fallen down into the drive, but I believe into an area that's not going to interfere with moving parts.

You need to plug them with original pieces.

Also, you should get a manual for the drive and follow it to adjust the shift cables. That (and possibly the need for a replacement cable or two) is why it's not shifting properly. You must follow the OEM manual. Guessing will be wrong, and is likely to blow up your drive.

I also noticed you're missing other plugs. Are you in the process of taking it apart, or are all these pieces gone?

 

[mikeike99]

Re: 1989 3.0 OMC stern drive help needed

the other hole is a threaded hole, looks like a screw with oring was there, water does come out of both when hooked to muffs, and i do have the cover off and impeller housing off as I am waiting for a new one to come in. The throttle issue, i have a seloc manual for the motor and drive, is that a good enough manual to tackle the throttle cable

thanks

 

[danond]

Re: 1989 3.0 OMC stern drive help needed

No, the Seloc manual is garbage. Seriously. It's better than nothing, but only that. Don't use it to adjust your linkage.

Find the one you need on eBay. They're only $40-$50 and are awesome. Here's an example:

eBay Auction Link

You are correct regarding the other hole. There should be a screw with a NYLON washer there. If you put an o-ring in there it'll leak. It looks exactly like the fill and drain plug on the drive (not the one on the very top of the drive - that's not a fill hole, that's a dipstick only).

Here's a site to get you started with shift cable adjustment, but it's not all you need:

http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/

 

[mikeike99]

Re: 1989 3.0 OMC stern drive help needed

thanks for the website, ill look into it, better then what the marina charges when I am mechanically inclined and my wife nows where I am, in the garage . the other hole, i found the flat head screw on the boat, what goes behind it and how do i know if it still in my stern without removing whole unit,

and any idea on the type of cadorette my boat is by the pic

thanks

 

[danond]

Re: 1989 3.0 OMC stern drive help needed

No clue on your make/model of boat, and honestly, it never matters. Enjoy the hull shape and boat design

There was a discussion here a bit ago about the cavity where the nut drops in when someone incorrectly removes that bolt/nut on the drive and the general consensus was that there is little to no short-term damage potential Apparently it falls into an empty cavity and stays there.

If it were me, I'd pull the drive and do my best to get the pieces out.

You need to pull the outdrive anyway. That one looks tired and well used, you should pull it to check the u-joints, gimbal bearing, bellows, etc. It's very easy and needs to be done each season.

 

[mikeike99]

Re: 1989 3.0 OMC stern drive help needed

a local marina here has quoted me $100 to pull the drive, new gaskets and check the bearing and such, also remove the piece from the screw, is that a good deal, and you are right about model of boat, 7.5 ft width and extremely deep v design, i have mounted some downriggers and a board to run planners for lake erie where i live

thanks

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1989 3.0 OMC stern drive help needed

The nut that goes on the back of that plug,or screw falls into a water passage.
If they will pull the drive,check it out and lube everything for 100 thats not bad at all.
Make sure they know their stuff on a Cobra drive.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: 1989 3.0 OMC stern drive help needed

The missing screw on the drive itself was probably for the OMC emblem. If so, then there's a nut inside the drive. The other screw/plug is a drain for the sterndrive water pump.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: 1989 3.0 OMC stern drive help needed

Just pull the drive yourself six bolts thats it, grease u-joint and driveshaft spline inspect bellows adjust shift cable on so on, you'll need to know all this stuff unless you have some deep pockets.