1989 460 King Cobra water drain plug

[Ron Everson]

While checking the oil in the lower & upper unit for water (none there), I unscrewed a water drain plug on the left side of the upper unit and a bunch of water came out. The problem is that whatever the plug screwed into on the inside is no longer there, and the plug won't stay in. I'm wondering if this is not the right plug and someone has southern engineered this plug in there by having some sort of retainer on the inside that falls off when you screw out the plug. I'm wondering what plug is supposed to go in there. There are no threads in the housing, just a thin section of the upper unit casting. Suppose I could find a compression type plug to go in there temporary like. I was going to get it on the water for a test drive tomorrow, but unles I can dream up a quick fix that's probably out. Any ideas?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1989 460 King Cobra water drain plug

someone has southern engineered this plug in there by having some sort of retainer on the inside that falls off when you screw out the plug.

Ayuh,................<br /><br />1 More Reason I'd Rather Swim,....... Than own an OMC powered boat................<br />I Don't Do OMCs,...... But I've read about this before,.....<br /><br />That Ain't Jury Rigged,............<br /><br />Thay's the way OMC Built It,...............<br /><br />And,.... You're Really Not going to like the punchline,..............<br /><br />The Outdrive Has to come Off,+ be Disassembled to replace the Screw,+ Plate...............<br /><br />No,....... The Drive can't be run Without Fixing it.........<br />It's the Thing that fell down Inside that Needs to be Replaced................<br /><br />Good Luck,.............. You Need It.............

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: 1989 460 King Cobra water drain plug

Ron...you weren't suppose to take that screw out, normally it's hidden by a Cobra badge but most likely it has fallen off now. There is a retainer plate that has dropped down and pretty much the only way to get it back is to remove the drive. I believe it was a hole used in manufacturing but not required for regular servicing.

 

[Ron Everson]

Re: 1989 460 King Cobra water drain plug

There is a Cobra badge on the right side in about the same place. So, can I just drop the lower unit, or does the upper have to come off, too? I don't have the manuals, yet, so I'm operating blind. What all is involved in dropping the lower unit? Can anyone steer me to online info?

 

[Ron Everson]

Re: 1989 460 King Cobra water drain plug

Looking at the parts layouts for the lower and upper units on dougrussel.com, it looks like my only question is how the shift rod separates between upper and lower units. It looks like the retainer I'm after would have fallen down to the top of the lower unit. I've done this quite a few times with old Johnerude outboards and a 1975 225 OMC, so this is somewhat similar, but I haven't seen this particular shift linkage before. Whaddaya think, will I find the retainer on top of the lower unit?

 

[DonMerz]

Re: 1989 460 King Cobra water drain plug

Ron,<br />I know this is not the topic of this thread, but I see you have a boat very similar to mine ... 1989 Reinell 215C Cuddy OMC 350 supposedly 260 HP. I bought it a couple of months ago and don't think I'm getting the performance I should. Can you tell me the RPM and MPH you get at WOT with your boat?<br /><br />appreciate it,<br /><br />BigD

 

[Don S]

Re: 1989 460 King Cobra water drain plug

Ron, if you just pull the drive, you may not have to take it apart.<br />I have been able to turn the complete drive upside down, shake, rattle, and otherwise move it around to get that plate with the threads out of the drive. Then lay the drive flat on some saw horses and slide the plate in till you get the screw back in it.<br />It ain't fun, but it will work.<br />Used to do about 1 a year up here.

 

[Ron Everson]

Re: 1989 460 King Cobra water drain plug

So You remove the whole outdrive, instead of just pulling off the lower unit? I thought the lower unit would be an easier task. Of course I don't know if the space that contains the retainer opens to the top of the lower unit below, which would allow the retainer to drop out the bottom. But of course, I'm sure it's not that simple. What about the shift linkage. How does it disconnect? I remember what a pain uncoupling the shift linkage on the 1959 Johnson 50 hp V4 Super Seahorse was.

 

[Ron Everson]

Re: 1989 460 King Cobra water drain plug

My 1975 Reinell 225 OMC does about 27-28 mph at wot at 6300' elevation. I think it's a 17 x 14 prop. The RPM is just about maximum rated, I'm thinking 4200 rpm or so. I'm working from my poor memory, since that boat's in the shop and the manuals are with it. Other props may get a little more top end, but then you don't have enough oomph to get up on plain without using the trim tabs. I always assumed that that old 305 c.i.d. engine was probably a little weak anyway, and it's fast enough for me.

 

[Manipulator]

Re: 1989 460 King Cobra water drain plug

Do a search here as your problem is common. I've seen it posted here several times. There are a few guys who have retrieved the other end of the plug without removing the drive. Someone had a trick to do it but it still wasn't easy but could be done.

 

[Ron Everson]

Re: 1989 460 King Cobra water drain plug

As always, thanks for all the good information! <br /><br /> Ron

 

[Ron Everson]

Re: 1989 460 King Cobra water drain plug

Thanks for the suggestion. I found the thread from 2003 that described the fixes. By the way, should this be moved to stupid human tricks?

 

[Ron Everson]

Re: 1989 460 King Cobra water drain plug

I pulled the drive last night and easily replaced the retainer and plug. The retainer was visible and easily retrieved as soon as I pulled the drive off the bolts. Laid the drive down and used a grabber to hold the retainer in place while I screwed in the plug from the outside. Wish all of my problems were fixed that easily. That plug is showing signs of use on the outside, so I figure someone used it to drain that part of the outdrive, only they didn't unscrew it completely like I did. It was easier than removing the drive on the 1975 225 OMC - no electric shift cables to contend with. Greased the u-joints while there. Shaft looked like it had been well-greased previously. We'll see how it runs this weekend.