Help me understand...cobra outdrive re-install

[marunr]

Ok, I pulled the outdrive on my 2.3l omc cobra, (1988) to do the cable adjustments, etc, as shown on the funkopolis site. I put the outdrive back on and all went well. I'm going to the lake this weekend to put it on the water, but...I have one question which I can't resolve in my mind. What keeps the water, which enters the exhaust bellows (it's got openings on the bottom) and surrounds the shift bellcrank, from seeping in around the bellcrank and entering the cavity which holds the shift cable guide, and evevtually surrounding the opening to the u-joint bellows? Am I just being paranoid?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Help me understand...cobra outdrive re-install

O-ring.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Help me understand...cobra outdrive re-install

That was the first year they made those. On 1989s and up they have drain plugs in strategic places on the part the drive bolts onto. That's because some water does get into those places sometimes and if they aren't drained it can crack stuff. At first we were told to crack the joint between the drive and the bell housing to let it drain. Remember to do that with yours when you winterize it.<br /><br />Also, when you fill the drive with lube, fill from the bottom to the side vent hole like you would an outboard. Plug the bottom and fill from the vent hole until the upper drive shows lube on the dipstick.<br /><br />Just two quirks you should know about.<br /><br />I like Cobras. Sorry they're not made anymore. Gotta love that water pump! Only thing I hate is that rubber ring by the u-joints. Grease gets on it and it swells up. It can be a pain getting the u-joint assembly through that.

 

[marunr]

Re: Help me understand...cobra outdrive re-install

Thanks! Mine does in fact have 3 screw in type plugs on the pivot housing. I guess that's where those drain from. That eases my mind quite a bit.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Help me understand...cobra outdrive re-install

Funny thing is that I remove those 3 plugs every year and there is never any water in there. Maybe because I put the drive all the way down when winterizing?