1989 Sunbird Corsica 3.0 OMC Cobradrive Guide/questions?

[laser411]

Dont have access to any model numbers but I'm looking for info for a 1989 Sunbird corsica with a 3.0 OMC cobradrive,
Owners manual and service manual if anyone has access to a digital copy would be greatly appreciated, if not i have a few questions, Friend has said boat (inherited) and knows near nothing about it except it was winterized last and hasnt been used since.

1: Procedure to start the boat out of water after winterization
2: how do i check the motor's oil ( cant find dipstick )
and how would i go about draining the oil without a pump. (diagrams would be awesome if available)
3. Is there a choke?
4. Is the Tilt/Trim supposed to work outside of water, when the switch is activated I hear the motor but the gauge doesnt move and neither does the outdrive it seems, what should I check?
5. Does this boat come stock with 1 or 2 batteries? (can only find the 1)
6. You guys rock for the help

 

[Kainon]

Re: 1989 Sunbird Corsica 3.0 OMC Cobradrive Guide/questions?

Sure do have a list going. Look in the DIY Section here and you'll find answers to finding a manual.

1. NEVER EVER EVER Start the boat without suppplying it with water to keep it cool, NEVER.
a. get/find water muffs or a big bucket to put the drive in ( never put in gear in a bucket you will loose water quick )
b. make sure you have fresh fuel, clean fuel filters, tight fuel lines, tight water hose connections, run the blower for 5 mins before starting.
c. you really should get a manual and read the DIY section here.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=468655 & http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=468284

2. there should be a oil dipstick tube on the RIGHT/Starboard side of the engine around the middle of the engine.
a. 2 ways to drain the oil, 1. useing a pump, electric or vacuum 2. removing the drian plug but this will make a mess and the plug can be a pain ro remove, if you do you will want to get a oil drain kit to replace the plug with, has a hose that connects and a plug on the end of the hose which you run through the bilge drain / Garboard plug.
3. choke, yup that year SHOULD have a choke, typically a thermal/hot air style OR Electric if someone changed it out, they can get rusty in there and typically stick.
4. Some OMC's have 2 tilt/trim systems, one on the front of the engine (trim) and one for the drive (tilt) yup it works in and out of the water.
5. Batteries, well, depends how big the boat is and how it was ordered. a 2nd battery is typically used as a HOUSE battery for extra lighting, radio and other electronic stuff so you dont kill your starting battery.

6. Welcome and thanks, yes there are some really great people here !!!! (me not included, I'm a wanna be.)

 

[cr2k]

Re: 1989 Sunbird Corsica 3.0 OMC Cobradrive Guide/questions?

Cobra drives have one tilt/trim system. The rams on the back. Could be the resivouir is empty. Check and fill with ATF or engine oil. ALSO NEVER start the engine with the drive up it will damage your u-joints and gimbal bearing. Running the engine as little as 15 seconds without water will damage your water pump impeller and exhaust hoses.

 

[Idlespeedonly]

Re: 1989 Sunbird Corsica 3.0 OMC Cobradrive Guide/questions?

NEVER start it in a bucket. The water most likely wont make it to the pump. Then you will be asking why your engine is overheating.

 

[laser411]

Re: 1989 Sunbird Corsica 3.0 OMC Cobradrive Guide/questions?

Thank you for all of the info and sorry for my late reply, however I have not been able to get to the boat until today so I will be posting about my venture later. What is the proper way to drain whats in the tilt system out?

 

[laser411]

Re: 1989 Sunbird Corsica 3.0 OMC Cobradrive Guide/questions?

Alright so I cant find the trim reservoir but we got it cranking and running so we put it in the water and it started to work, when we brought it out the reverse worked, then when we went to take it back out everytime we put it in neutral it ran rough and when we put it in reverse it would stall, any ideas why or how i can fix that?