Noise in sterdrive

[88Sunbird4.3L]

To make a long story short, I am in the process of a complete overhaul. I have an 88 omc cobra drive and 4.3L. I installed the motor, used an alignment tool and was in the process of popping in the drive when I went to turn the prop shaft and heard a pretty loud noise. It is louder when turning it counter clockwise. Kind of a little clunkity clickity clunk as it goes around. I am just turning it by hand.. so I assume its going to be very loud, when the drive is actually running. Should there be any noise like this? I stopped short of installing the drive, so that I could post this question. It sounds like a loud bearing or something like that. Ive never taken apart an outdrive. If there is a problem should I take care of this with the drive off or on? Thanks for the help!

 

[Don S]

Re: Noise in sterdrive

Sounds normal to me, if you would have turned it CCW, it would have turned the prop shaft. But since you went CW, it was just jumping over the dog clutch. Can't happen with the engine running.

 

[fixb52s]

Re: Noise in sterdrive

Put it in netural and check it. Normal noise when it is in gear. When the drive is in netural, it should be silent.​

 

[88Sunbird4.3L]

Re: Noise in sterdrive

Im pretty sure its in nutral. When I turn the prop shaft the imput shaft doesnt turn, so thats nutral right? It makes noise cw and ccw. Just a louder noise ccw. I decided to install the drive anyhow and its in, I can turn the prop shaft freely its just noisy. Sorry if these questions are dumb.. im still learning about how these i/o systems work.

 

[Don S]

Re: Noise in sterdrive

It may be as simple as not having neutral in the right place. (aka shift cable misadjusted)
Could be something broken.
From here, it's totally impossible to hear in order to identify the sound.