Just bought an OMC Cobra I/O, couple questions

[wyocobra]

I just bought an '87 Baja Sunsport 196 with a 5.7L OMC Cobra I/O setup. This is my first boat and I have a couple questions. I was an auto mechanic for several years and consider myself mechanically inclined, so I plan on wrenching on this thing myself.

That being said, I know next to nothing about outdrives, so I am looking for a good service manual. I've seen a few suggestions that the OEM manuals are the only good ones. I'm assuming the aftermarket ones are like Chilton's manuals for cars; basically worthless. I followed someone's advice to check eBay, but couldn't find an OMC service manual for my '87. However, I did find a few '88 and '89 OEM ones. Can I use a manual for an '88-'89, or were there a lot of changes between the years?

Also, the only problem I am currently experiencing is a slight vibration when at full steering lock or when I have the drive tilted. If the drive is down and I keep it in the "trim" range on the gauge, there is no vibration (unless I turn sharply). Is this some sort of U-joint problem? How difficult is something like this to repair? Is it something I need to address immediately, or can I use the boat a couple more times and fix it this winter? Again, pardon my ignorance, but I am new to this.

I can tell you that after only having the boat out one time so far, I am hooked! I am very pleased with my Baja and plan on keeping it for a very long time. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[wyocobra]

Re: Just bought an OMC Cobra I/O, couple questions

Thank you for the quick response!

I have not cranked the steering hard with the drive up (seemed like a common sense no-no) and have tried to avoid running it with the drive up period. In fact, the only time I ran the engine with the drive up was the first time I fired the boat up in my yard when I got it home (yes, I have a flush kit). I immediately noticed a vibration and, after realizing that the drive was up, tilted it down and the vibration went away.

There is a vibration when the drive is down and the steering is full over, but it isn't terrible. This may be foolish of me, but I think I'm going to let it go the rest of the summer and pull the drive this winter. I only plan on putting the boat in the water a couple more times this year and it will only be run a total of maybe 10 hours. All of the fluids are new and everything else seems to function properly.

Again, thank you for the advice and especially for the link. I will get that service manual ordered up ASAP.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Just bought an OMC Cobra I/O, couple questions

I have the same vibration when I'm idling and maneuvering in the slips. I'm certain it's the U-joints but I'm not so certain that it isn't normal when you are placing them in a stressfull configuration.

 

[wyocobra]

Re: Just bought an OMC Cobra I/O, couple questions

A shop manual should cover a range of years and have all the variations for those years. http://www.marineengine.com/manuals/omc_sterndrive/order_1980-93.html

It seems as though the manuals are model year specific. The link you provided me asks for the model number and has this handy model number code guide: http://www.marineengine.com/manuals/omc_sterndrive/model_code_1981-93.jpg They say it can take up to three weeks to get an original.

I checked eBay again and found an OMC service manual for every model year except my 1987 (FTC). Figures.

 

[janpetemar]

Re: Just bought an OMC Cobra I/O, couple questions

Try looking towards the SELOC manuals, available here at iboats.com. It may cover a few different years, just make sure your year is included. These manuals also cover the numerous models for the year in question and are chock full of text and photos.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Just bought an OMC Cobra I/O, couple questions

Try looking towards the SELOC manuals, available here at iboats.com. It may cover a few different years, just make sure your year is included. These manuals also cover the numerous models for the year in question and are chock full of text and photos.

Seloc Sucks! If you ever need to do drive,engine and electrical work the Seloc is good for cleaning up oil spills...
Get the OEM...
This is the one...No changes in the 88 book.
Email the seller and tell him Gary in NC sent you and ask if he has one in a more used condition.All of his books are in good condition anyway.
Either way worth every penny!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988...00367395981QQptZMotorsQ5fManualsQ5fLiterature

 

[wyocobra]

Re: Just bought an OMC Cobra I/O, couple questions

Seloc Sucks! If you ever need to do drive,engine and electrical work the Seloc is good for cleaning up oil spills...
Get the OEM...
This is the one...No changes in the 88 book.
Email the seller and tell him Gary in NC sent you and ask if he has one in a more used condition.All of his books are in good condition anyway.
Either way worth every penny!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988...00367395981QQptZMotorsQ5fManualsQ5fLiterature

Thank you. I e-mailed him.