Cobra Outdrive Questions

[slow joe]

Alright, I had posted this in my restoration thread with no replys (see my Conquest restoration thread here:http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...ir/1991-conquest-1650-restoration-634344.html)

I have a couple questions...

1. Should I replace the u-joints? They don't seem to have any play in them, but since the out drive is off, maybe I should just do them for the fact that it's off. These don't seem to be serviceable, since there aren't any grease zerks.

2. How much lube should be in the out-drive? there's enough that when the dipstick is screwed in it's just on the end of that, but if it's not screwed in there isn't any touching the dipstick.

3. Do you store your out-drive full of lube or drained?

4. Is the black plastic thing below a plug? I couldn't pull the two halves apart (see picture).

Here is what I mean by the out-drive lube level. See the "drop" on the bottom of the dipstick


These look relatively new, however there aren't any grease zerks, and there's a bit of surface rust on them... To replace, or not to replace? That is the question.


And here is the plug that may or may not be a plug... Is this a plug or just a chunk of plastic holding a bunch of wires?

 

[Lou C]

Re: Cobra Outdrive Questions

Most Cobras take about 2 qts of gear oil, the 460 kings take more some of the 3.0s take a little less.
The oil should be up to the line with it screwed in.
U-joints it looks like there is a hole for the zerks not installed.
That rubber thing is probably a fuse holder.

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: Cobra Outdrive Questions

Alright, I had posted this in my restoration thread with no replys (see my Conquest restoration thread here:http://forums.iboats.com/boat-resto...ir/1991-conquest-1650-restoration-634344.html)

I have a couple questions...

1. Should I replace the u-joints? They don't seem to have any play in them, but since the out drive is off, maybe I should just do them for the fact that it's off. These don't seem to be serviceable, since there aren't any grease zerks.

2. How much lube should be in the out-drive? there's enough that when the dipstick is screwed in it's just on the end of that, but if it's not screwed in there isn't any touching the dipstick.

3. Do you store your out-drive full of lube or drained?

4. Is the black plastic thing below a plug? I couldn't pull the two halves apart (see picture).

Here is what I mean by the out-drive lube level. See the "drop" on the bottom of the dipstick


These look relatively new, however there aren't any grease zerks, and there's a bit of surface rust on them... To replace, or not to replace? That is the question.


And here is the plug that may or may not be a plug... Is this a plug or just a chunk of plastic holding a bunch of wires?

Store outdrive with fresh lube, full.

The u-joints are replacable...if they seem like there's no play, then I'd run them and check them (asymptomatic) annually, when you pull the drive.

Lube should be changed annually as part of the winterization, moisture can accumulate inside the oil, and marine lubes are designed to 'mix' with water to save damage to parts needing lubed. Get a service manual (I cannot recall volume?)

That plug it where all the wires/sending units connect, should be okay as long as there no corrotion, they can be a pain to get apart..at least that's what I make out from the picture? On my 1996 5.0FL it's connected to a metal housing on the starboard side exhaust manifold.

BTW, great pics!

 

[slow joe]

Re: Cobra Outdrive Questions

Thanks for the tips. I'll drain and re-fill it with fresh lube, and leave the u-joints as they are at this point... I'll probably check them again for play before putting it all back together.

The reason I was asking about the plug is because I have to remove the engine to do the stringers/transom in the boat (see my restoration thread). so I figured if I could just disconnect that instead of having to remove and label a bunch of wires it'd make my life easier for removal/reinstallation. My guess is that the plug was at one point attached to something, however the wiring in this boat is... Yeah... I need to go through that as well. lol :facepalm:

And thanks for the thumbs up on the pics. I try to make it easier for people to know what I'm talking about being a newbie with boats... This way if I use the wrong terminology people still have an idea what I'm talking about.. lol

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Cobra Outdrive Questions

That wiring connection should come apart. I think it is an automotive style pin connector, and the protective cover can be pulled apart sometimes by breaking the seal between the two pieces carefully with a flat blade screwdriver.