Just bought a 93 Seaswirl 180se with OMC Cobra 4.3, got a few ?s about shift cable +

[The Grayt 1]

We just bought a very clean 93 Seaswirl ski boat. the boat was in very good shape and has great wood and a clean hull. We are totally new to the OMC cobra outdrives and noticed when we test drove it Friday it made a slight grind into reverse at cold start but then went away. The throttle seemed to be a slight bit stiff. I know these need to be adjusted properly or you can ruin gears. Once the boat was warm it shifted great into forward, reverse or idle. Just a little stiff. We really like the boat and want to keep it, but want to make sure the outdrive is fine. How do we adjust it properly? Is 93 the one with the good gears?

Finally, we are also new to boating. What services should we do to it. The outdrive oil and engine oil were just changed as well. The boat ran great for the first time out this year. We had it out there for 45 minutes. Also we paid $2750 fir the boat and trailer. It came with everything as well. Did we get a good deal? Thanks in advance!

 

[Juniinc]

Re: Just bought a 93 Seaswirl 180se with OMC Cobra 4.3, got a few ?s about shift cabl

Congrats on your new boat.
I might have the same set up on my 91 FW.
Allow the engine to warm up to at least 120 degrees before shifting into gear.
If it shifted smooth once the boat warmed up, I wouldn't worry about it.
Who changed the gear oil, engine oil?
The outdrive should been pulled to check on many things.
Here is what I've done to mine so far,,,
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=374684

 

[cr2k]

Re: Just bought a 93 Seaswirl 180se with OMC Cobra 4.3, got a few ?s about shift cabl

Also NEVER baby the shift. the shift in or out of forward or reverse should be made quickly and purposefully. Otherwise you will damage the shift dogs. There are NO syncros or clutches, it's in or out.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Just bought a 93 Seaswirl 180se with OMC Cobra 4.3, got a few ?s about shift cabl

Post a picture of the drive...I believe the 93 was the SX style drive.
Not as hard to adjust as the older Cobra cable.

 

[The Grayt 1]

Re: Just bought a 93 Seaswirl 180se with OMC Cobra 4.3, got a few ?s about shift cabl

Also NEVER baby the shift. the shift in or out of forward or reverse should be made quickly and purposefully. Otherwise you will damage the shift dogs. There are NO syncros or clutches, it's in or out.

Yea I called a cobra tech and he explained that to me. I think that was the slight grind when we first put it barely in reverse. When we put it in gear purpoefully it was fine.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Just bought a 93 Seaswirl 180se with OMC Cobra 4.3, got a few ?s about shift cabl

If it's really a 93 (drive painted charcoal/black...flat across the top...not with a hump which signfies the 94-98 joint venture models that had volvo gears)...then it's the original pure OMC Cobra....they are not bad by any means but you need someone who really knows how to adjust them...

I wouldn't start fiddling with the adjustment unless you have a mechanic you can bring it to if you can't get it right but take a look at the Stuart Hastings website where he details the finer points of adjusting the shift cable...

A couple of simple things that will help...one as noted do not shift it slow..make it a quick deliberate shift...same as any dog clutch drive (Merc Alpha and all outboards)
Second try to get the engine to idle as low as possible and still run smoothly (500-600 in gear in the water)...slower is beter
Next you should feel a slight stumble in the engine when shifting to neutral from fwd or rev...if not the ESA is not working and needs to be looked at...you won't feel this when shifting it on land running on the water hose but you will feel it running it in the water if the ESA (electronic shift assist) is working. If the stumbling continues when it's in gear then the transom shift cable may be getting stiff and needs to be replaced...
Some things that are easy to do...if you are able to remove and replace the drive...there is a pocket in the pivot housing where the bellcrank sits and it gets deposits under it and can make shifting stiff...I clean out this area every year and grease it up good with OMC triple guard grease...next make sure the whole linkage on the engine is well lubed and moves smoothly...

there are some Cobra factory procedures on the Crowley Marine website that cover removing and re-installing the drive and the drive oil change (which BTW must be done exactly the way it says or you can ruin the upper gears..)

 

[The Grayt 1]

Re: Just bought a 93 Seaswirl 180se with OMC Cobra 4.3, got a few ?s about shift cabl

Post a picture of the drive...I believe the 93 was the SX style drive.
Not as hard to adjust as the older Cobra cable.

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt107/thegrayt1/Boatngolf053.jpg

EDIT: Changed picture to link. Too big. Please resize to 640W in the future.

 

[Don S]

Re: Just bought a 93 Seaswirl 180se with OMC Cobra 4.3, got a few ?s about shift cabl

Post a picture of the drive...I believe the 93 was the SX style drive.
Not as hard to adjust as the older Cobra cable.

94 was the first year of the SX Gary.

Yes, that is a standard OMC Cobra drive.

 

[The Grayt 1]

Re: Just bought a 93 Seaswirl 180se with OMC Cobra 4.3, got a few ?s about shift cabl

94 was the first year of the SX Gary.

Yes, that is a standard OMC Cobra drive.

So this is the dog style clutch gears? This is the one that needs to be adjusted properly right?

Quick ?, where on the outdrive do I hook the muffs up to to flush it? I think i know, but will defer to experts.

 

[Don S]

Re: Just bought a 93 Seaswirl 180se with OMC Cobra 4.3, got a few ?s about shift cabl

So this is the dog style clutch gears? This is the one that needs to be adjusted properly right?

Yes.

where on the outdrive do I hook the muffs up to to flush it?

They cover the pickup ports on the lower unit. Like this.

 

[The Grayt 1]

Re: Just bought a 93 Seaswirl 180se with OMC Cobra 4.3, got a few ?s about shift cabl

Thank you so much!

Would you suggest having a professional adjust the shift cable? Or can we do it ourselves with a manual?

 

[Don S]

Re: Just bought a 93 Seaswirl 180se with OMC Cobra 4.3, got a few ?s about shift cabl

Thank you so much!

Would you suggest having a professional adjust the shift cable? Or can we do it ourselves with a manual?

Get the manuals and have a look. Then determine you can do it or not. You know your abilities a lot better than we do.