95 SX Cobra shifting problem

[Sparkinator]

I have a new to me 95 Four Winns Horizon 190 with a 5.0 SX Cobra. We are really enjoying the boat. I've had to work through some issues, (loose starter, wiring, alternator, water pump) that have been mildly frustrating, but nothing to dampen my spirit of boat ownership.

Now I need to tackle the shifting issues. The boat will shift fine (smoothly) into reverse, but not into forward. Into reverse, you can hear the gearbox(?) shift immediately before the engine starts to rev up. When shifting into forward you have to do it slowly so as not to rev up the engine before it engages. At times, you have to ease the throttle back and forth to find the sweet spot to get the gears to engage.

It doesn't shift too badly once you find the right technique, but sounds like I have a linkage out of adjustment and don't want to keep running it this way and tear something up. I've looked through the online manuals, and can't find anything that addresses my symptoms directly. (I'm sure it does, but due to my limited knowledge, can't figure out what to adjust for the symptoms my boat has.)

The cables were replaced by the previous owner and they are really smooth. He also replaced the throttle control (new Teleflex). It requires very little effort to move the throttle at all.

Anywhere you guys think I need to start looking? Thanks for all replies.

Sparky

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 95 SX Cobra shifting problem

It could be your control or back at the drive. Put your control in neutral and go back to the drive and take off the back cover. You will see the shift linkage there. If you disconnect the cotter pin from the adjustment block that goes to the linkage, you can manually put the drive into the neutral detent. You can now adjust the the block on the threaded end of the cable so it goes into the linkage hole. Both the linkage and the cable will have a little play in it. I adjust everything so I am in the middle of the play...hope that make sense.

 

[Sparkinator]

Re: 95 SX Cobra shifting problem

Thanks Bruce. Yeah, that makes sense. I'm not really sure how all of these things work (transmission and throttle all in one cable). I'll check it out next time I'm at the lake (where the boat is kept). If I'm reading you correctly, I should be able to adjust the linkage at back of the boat so the transmission will shift to forward sooner when the throttle control is moved forward.

It just makes me nervous letting someone else drive the boat if it has a chance of engaging the transmission after the motor has started revving up.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 95 SX Cobra shifting problem

There are two cables that leave your control. One is throttle and the other is shift. The throttle cable should not be moving during the first 30 degrees of the handle movement. First thing you have to do is make sure that when your control is in neutral that the drive is exactly in neutral. It is very possible that this is where the adjustment is off and when you shift forward, the drive does not get all the way into forward but "catches" after throttle is moved forward.

The other scenario is that your control is not working properly. There is a detent you can feel at the control that tells you that you have completed the shift. Throttle should not have happened at all by that point...is this true in your case?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 95 SX Cobra shifting problem

also check the drive oil level, if over full and its actually the volvo OMC joint venture cobra SX overfilling will cause shift problems.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 95 SX Cobra shifting problem

also check the drive oil level, if over full and its actually the volvo OMC joint venture cobra SX overfilling will cause shift problems.

very true...I am assuming your 95 boat with "SX" has the SX joint venture drive. If you open the back cover and don't see the shift linkage, you don't have the joint venture drive.

What is your model number?

 

[Sparkinator]

Re: 95 SX Cobra shifting problem

The boat is not here to double check the numbers, but the title has motor number T01282298 and outdrive number T0794183, but I don't know the model number. The valve covers have Volvo-Penta name plates on the motor.

 

[Don S]

Re: 95 SX Cobra shifting problem

OMC doesn't exist anymore, and trying to trace down an OMC serial number is a waste of time.
What is the full model number. numbers and letters
Even a spec number could help. It's that 7 digit number starting with 38

 

[Sparkinator]

Re: 95 SX Cobra shifting problem

Thanks guys. I will get the model number the next time I'm at the lake.

 

[Sparkinator]

Re: 95 SX Cobra shifting problem

I've gotten those numbers that Don was asking for.
trans. assembly 3868175
drive unit 3868156
Motor is model # 502APHUE 5.0 HO
It has a Volvo fresh water pump and 19 spline prop is sold as a Volvo Penta prop. It has a few Volvo tags (valve covers), but almost everything is labeled as OMC SX.

I hope that clears everything up.
Sparky

 

[Don S]

Re: 95 SX Cobra shifting problem

Here's a link to the OEM service manual for your drive.
http://www.4shared.com/file/90767566/f8d5a4a7/HU_SX_Drive_7788851.html
Go to page section 5, page 5.7. It sounds like you may just have the shift cable out of adjustment.

 

[Sparkinator]

Re: 95 SX Cobra shifting problem

Thanks Don
That's EXACTLY what I needed. I downloaded a couple of manuals from the adults only section, but they cover so many different models, it's hard to keep track of which covers each unit for all the different sections.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 95 SX Cobra shifting problem

Correct me if I am wrong but I didn't think there were any Volvo manuals referenced in the Adult section.

 

[Don S]

Re: 95 SX Cobra shifting problem

There are no Volvo Penta manuals in the Adults only sticky. It's really hard to try and adjust Volvo shift linkage using a Mercruiser manual

 

[Sparkinator]

Re: 95 SX Cobra shifting problem

Thats part of the confusion surrounding these motors is would seem.

I downloaded the OMC manuals and they covered the SX, but not as thoroughly as the manual Don S provided in his link.

 

[Don S]

Re: 95 SX Cobra shifting problem

That is because the only OMC manual links up there are Seloc aftermarket manuals.
Here is a link to the OEM Volvo manuals.
http://www.4shared.com/dir/14518519/7686effe/HUsharing.html

You need manuals 2,3, and 4 for your Ford engine.

Volvo and OMC were in a joint venture in 94 till 98. Then Volvo bought them out completely. Engines and drives were identical.

 

[Sparkinator]

Re: 95 SX Cobra shifting problem

Thanks once again Don.

If I'm ever back in Washington, ...I definitely owe you a beverage.

 

[kittfourwinns]

Re: 95 SX Cobra shifting problem

I see it's been awhile since any replies on this thread - however I just purchased a 1995 Four Winns 200 Horizon with an OMC 5.0 Cobra, what I BELIEVE is the SX model. I have the identical drive unit number that Sparky gave above - 3868156. Don, I downloaded the manuals you provided and they are awesome - just what I've been looking for. However, I don't see 3868156 listed as the model number for any of the engines. Is this where the OMC vs. Volvo joint venture comes into play?

 

[Don S]

Re: 95 SX Cobra shifting problem

You need to start a new thread with your questions, not post on someone elses old thread.

See the announcement at top of the forum. http://forums.iboats.com/announcement.php?f=445

 

[kittfourwinns]

Re: 95 SX Cobra shifting problem

Sorry about that! I remember reading that when I first joined but got too excited when I found all the great info on this thread.