Installing rebuilt OMC cobra outdrive

[Beer Float]

Well guys I rebiult my upper lower unit no problem, but now I am trying to put the outdrive back on the boat and I cant seem to get the cardon between the u-joints through the new bellows I mean geeese I rebuilt this thing myself and this is giving me a problem I am really getting upset I already put my rtv sealant on my gasket that goes between the gimble housing and the lower unit so that ought to be hard enough by morning to screw everything up it will probably leak. but anyway does anyone have any suggestions on how to get this thing through the bellow it is already starting to shave some rubber from the edge it is tighter than heck. can I shave more rubber away with a razor very carefully I dont see how else it will go on and if it does it will take the bellow with it! any ideas???

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Installing rebuilt OMC cobra outdrive

hello<br /> sounds like an OMC Cobra drive. make sure the bellows is properly seated in the groove of the gimbal housing. I have had some that were tight enough that I resorted to dishwashing liquid and rotated the shaft with a long thin screw driver to get them through the bellows. I dont know why some are so tight and others seem to go right through. good luck and keep us posted. btw the napa stores here sell the gasket kits

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Installing rebuilt OMC cobra outdrive

hello again<br /> I dont reccomend any sealant between the gasket on this drive other than som OMC adhesive m on the water passage o-ring.if sealant is really nessasary then use OMC gasket sealer or quicksilver perfect seal. in salt water I have seen certain silicone sealants actually accelerate the corrosion of the aluminium.<br /> good luck

 

[Beer Float]

Re: Installing rebuilt OMC cobra outdrive

Thanks for the help Rodbolt I will try dish washing soap that puppy is awfull tight.arrrr

 

[P.V.]

Re: Installing rebuilt OMC cobra outdrive

Omc changed the ID of the u-joint bellows in about '90 to be about .030" larger to solve complaints about difficulty in installing the OD.It is/was a real b*#ch in the winter!! If you have the orginal, a slipperly type oil/brake cleaner will help along with pressure and a long scewdriver to turn the u-joints. You should check alignment to be sure that the splines are not contributing to the problem!

 

[Beer Float]

Re: Installing rebuilt OMC cobra outdrive

Thanks very much P.V. for the explanation! this certainly explains it all. I did however finally get the cardon past the bellow now I am having a little trouble getting the splined shaft to slip in it is indexed I belive but it is going on a little rough I maybe put to much greese on it but I havnt worked with it long yet. Man hope the next time I get a bellow I get the new version of it 30 thousands would about do it I thought I was gonna go crazy trying to get this thing on.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Installing rebuilt OMC cobra outdrive

i changed my u joint bellows last yr. & had a hell of a time getting the drive back on. it seems to a common problem with the cobra. it sounds like your doing everything right. in any case, check the alignment, that's why mine wouldn't go on.

 

[Beer Float]

Re: Installing rebuilt OMC cobra outdrive

Ok guys I got the u-joints trough the bellow but now I am still having problems getting it the rest of the way on you guys talk about alighnment?What does this mean alighnment of the gimbal berring? The lower unit holes are touching the bolts and I have the top cover off the lower unit and can see the horizontal shaft and I put a wrench on the milled out spots on the shaft but it seems to be locked into place I cannot rotate the shaft at all so I assume the splinned shaft is started. The lower unit mounting plate is about a inch away from the gimbal hosing but it wont go on the rest of the way I have been shaking it trying to get it on but it doesnt want to slide on I did however put marine greese on the slinned shaft wonder if I should have done this is the greese making the resistance? I would really hate to have to pull this thing back off considering how hard it was to get it on in the first place due to the bellows being so tight and I mean tight! anyone have any ideas to getting this thing the rest of the way on? It is only a inch or so from mounting it

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Installing rebuilt OMC cobra outdrive

can u get the nuts started? if u can just tighten them until the l/u draws in.

 

[Beer Float]

Re: Installing rebuilt OMC cobra outdrive

No cant seawolf wish I could but it is probably more like 2 inches away I had the drive completely off again and tried it over and same thing happened stuck in the same position I dont know what is holding it.

 

[CharlesW]

Re: Installing rebuilt OMC cobra outdrive

If you are still more than 2" away, I don't think you have the splines started in the motor yet.<br /><br />Charles

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Installing rebuilt OMC cobra outdrive

you really need to check shaft alignment. this test insures that the centerline of the gimbal bearing is in the same plane as the center line of the shaft coupler. under no circumstances use the nuts to draw more than the last 1/4th of an inch. if everything is correct this drive will slide all the way. if it is not and you force it bad things happen. a new shaft coupler on the OMC counter is only about 300 dollars now.new lock nuts are extra. anyway I posted the diminsions of a shaft tool<br /> or you can use an old cobra drive shaft<br /> good luck and keep me posted