Few Q's regarding 3.0L HO I-4 OMC

[LabradorBoy]

Hi guys, I'm new to the board and after reading some of the posts in this section of the forum, I'm a little weary of my sterndrive...the 1991 Ford 3.0L I-4 I have in my boat seems to be one of the more problematic engines out there <br /><br />Mine has been good so far, I just have two issues with it:<br /><br />1) I have a problem getting the engine to idle correctly. I often have trouble getting the engine to idle long enough for me to be able to go to neutral, stop, then try to engage forward gear. I plan to change the plugs/filters/oil and clean the throttle body before I launch again soon, but does anybody else have any suggestioons as to what I should do here?<br /><br /><br />2) I have a lot of grinding when trying to engage forward gear, it seems that the engine is not quite in gear by the time the engine is already starting to rev up a bit. Would I be right to assume that there is turnbuckle-style cable adjuster behind my control console that I can "tighten up" in order to engage forward gear a little sooner?<br /><br />Please forgive me if these are newbie questions, but this is a problem that had annoyed my Dad for a while and I'd like to be able to solve it.<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />-Rob<br />robpilgrim@hotmail.com

 

[Mercathode]

Re: Few Q's regarding 3.0L HO I-4 OMC

Hi LabradorBoy<br />The egine that you describe is a more than likely a Chevy I-4. Sounds like you carb may need some adjustment as well as your throttle and shift cable linkage.

 

[LabradorBoy]

Re: Few Q's regarding 3.0L HO I-4 OMC

Thanks for the reply 954Winns, it could very well be a Chevy engine, but from what I recall, it was a Ford. I could very well be mistaken though, so I'll have to check when I get back in town. The engine is mated to an OMC Cobra stern drive and is actually the "HO" version of the 3.0L, if that makes any difference.<br /><br />I will definitely be making some carb/throttle/shift linkage adjustments this summer.<br /><br />-Rob

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Few Q's regarding 3.0L HO I-4 OMC

Read the following. It may apply to you:<br /><br /> http://www.funkopolis.com:8080/~stuart/cobra/ <br /><br />...sounds like your shift linkage may be the problem.