OMC 400, shift cable?

[wakeboarddude]

OMC 400 series mechanical shift, 3.0L 4 banger.

Ive been having issues shifting my boat into gear. On occasion, when shifting into forward and pulling out of the hole, there is a dull thunk from the drive. Talking to some mechanical type people and my own experience I think that the gears are not properly engaging until under load where they "clunk" into place. I have properly adjusted the shift cable converter twice, but still the same thing. I do feel some "looseness" in the shifting, where when engaging the controls there is no real definitive feeling on the shifter when the drive is in gear. My thinking is that the shift cable has stretched/worn out and therefore will not be able to be properly adjusted.

Before i start pulling things apart and ordering an expensive new shift cable, does this sound like a good theory or might i have other issues here?

Thanks in advance
Nigel

 

[PINESOL]

Re: OMC 400, shift cable?

wakedude ... there is a ton of useful information in this forum .. however when it comes to omc .. from what i understand ,,, good luck .. most will tell you a clunk like that = death for that drive ... get it taken care of right away . hope its that expensive shift cable ... if not . it gets much more expensive .. im taking mine to a marine tech with 35 years experience .
there is too much that can be done wrong during the cable replacement for a do-it-yourselfer. im sure i can do it myself .. but for peace of mind .. im paying someone that has done it a million times before. my.02c

 

[KaGee]

Re: OMC 400, shift cable?

The shift cable into the drive has no adjustment.
The shift cable coming from helm to the shift adapter has a center-neutral adjustment. You can get that procedure from the correct OMC manual.

From your description it sounds like you may have rounded off the teeth on the clutch dog. That requires a new clutch dog and gear set. The cause of this problem is usually shifting into gear at too high of RPM. The only way to know for sure is disassembly and inspection however, an excessive amount of metal shavings on the lower drain plug is normally a good clue.

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: OMC 400, shift cable?

....

 

[wakeboarddude]

Re: OMC 400, shift cable?

KaGee, That is the adjustment I ment, at the shift control box. I have followed the procedures to adjust the shifter and all seems ok. I keep the oil changed a couple times a season and have not seen any shavings, also the lower unit was rebuilt about 3-4 seasons ago. I dont think (hoping not) that it is a problem with the gears.
It is a 79-80 400 series I guess thats what it is the hydromechanical shift. I know it is NOT the electric shift model.
What leads me to think it is a strectched cable or simlilar is that once it has "clunked" as long as i leave it in gear I can run out of the hole all day and it won't slip. Talking to the mechanic that did rebuild the leg, he suggested the adjustment but that hasn't seemed to work. It just seems to be that initial shift into gear and out of the hole. Its just that sloppiness that i feel while engaging into gear. I find if I "hard" shift into gear, ie pushing the control lever down hard, then pulling back before it starts to ramp up, I dont have this problem as it feels more solid.

PINESOL, I agree i would like to have it done by the shop but being in school this year makes funds tight. i have read the intructions in the book and it does seem fairly straight forward. After rebuilding the engine last winter I'm not too afraid to get in there and figure it out, and hey if i get really stuck at least i only have to pay the guy to put it back together.

Thanks for all your input.
Nigel

 

[KaGee]

Re: OMC 400, shift cable?

what year 400?
If 1979-1981, could be a hydraulic problem in the lower unit as those years are hydromechanical shift.

Good call... Sometimes I assume they are mechanical shifts. My bad.

 

[rowdyrebel]

Re: OMC 400, shift cable?

I think your transom cable needs to be serviced or replaced.
That was my problem.
The drive comes off & on prety eazy, so you can inspect your cable.
Good luck



89 cobra drive,powerd by FORD

 

[wakeboarddude]

Re: OMC 400, shift cable?

rowdyrebel, where you having similar issues? Im pretty sure this is the case i was just looking for some other input before starting a project that may not fix the problem.

The whole cable in general appears to be in ok shape, however it would be hard to check the steel cables inside without taking everything apart.
Guess Im just going to go for it and hope that all works out ok.

Thanks again