OMC Cobra Engine Alignment

[Armyboater]

To start I have an '89 Bayliner with a 305 OMC Cobra outdrive. I had to take the out drive off to replace the shift cable. I went to check the alignment with the tool and it was off. I have spent a few hours now trying to get it lined up up with no success.

The tool is hitting about the 1 o'clock position on the coupler. I have adjusted the front motor mounts all the way up and all the way down with no change. I have checked the rear mounts (torque specs) as well with no success. I have turned the engine over 180 degrees and the tool still hits on the 1 o'clock position. Any tips or advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Bondo]

Re: OMC Cobra Engine Alignment

To start I have an '89 Bayliner with a 305 OMC Cobra outdrive. I had to take the out drive off to replace the shift cable. I went to check the alignment with the tool and it was off. I have spent a few hours now trying to get it lined up up with no success.

The tool is hitting about the 1 o'clock position on the coupler. I have adjusted the front motor mounts all the way up and all the way down with no change. I have checked the rear mounts (torque specs) as well with no success. I have turned the engine over 180 degrees and the tool still hits on the 1 o'clock position. Any tips or advice is greatly appreciated.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Is it Hittin' the coupler, or just tight in that spot,..??

Did ya wobble the bearin' in it's gimbal to help center it,..??

 

[Armyboater]

Re: OMC Cobra Engine Alignment

It's definitely hitting the edge of the coupler and won't go inside the actual coupler. And what do you mean by wobbling the bearing? I'm going to assume that is probably where I messed up.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: OMC Cobra Engine Alignment

If its hitting at the top, the front of the engine is too high

Here is the procedure that I always paste into a post like this. I do understand that you aren't past the first step yet.





Inspect the splines on the shaft for visible wear, generally if the splines
are worn then the coupler is also worn. If wear is evident replace the parts
as needed.


NEVER Force the alignment tool in, you can damage the tool and the coupler.

NOTE: If you find the tool will not slide into the gimbal simply remove the
black coating on the largest step with fine sand paper.


1) Once you have the engine height close enough to
fully insert the tool without force, then you can start
working on setting the proper alignment.

Take your time, getting it close enough to insert the
tool the first time can sometimes be the hardest (most
frustrating) part.

2) Coat the end section of the tool (the smallest diameter
area) with a light coat of grease and then insert it fully
into the coupler.

3) Without turning the tool, pull it straight out and look at
the depth of the teeth marks in the grease.

If the teeth marks in the grease are deep on the
top side and shallow on the bottom side of the tool then
your motor is too high.

If the marks in the grease are deeper on the bottom than
on the top then your motor is too low.

4) Adjust the engine height accordingly.

5) Keep checking the depth of the marks in the grease until
they are equal in depth on top and bottom.

Sometimes as little as 1/8th of a turn on the adjusting nut can be the
difference between being properly aligned, and just having it "close"

Lightly Grease the splines on the shaft (and on the coupler if you can) with
Spline grease prior to assembly.

 

[Bondo]

Re: OMC Cobra Engine Alignment

It's definitely hitting the edge of the coupler and won't go inside the actual coupler. And what do you mean by wobbling the bearing? I'm going to assume that is probably where I messed up.

Ayuh,... The bearing is Gimbaled, like an eyeball, it'll wobble inside it's carrier,...

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: OMC Cobra Engine Alignment

The gimbal bearing can be tilted.
Insert the shaft about 2-3 in.
Before it hits the gimbal push it down or pull up or push sideways.
It will align to the hole

 

[Armyboater]

Re: OMC Cobra Engine Alignment

I'll definitely give that a try as soon as this weather blows through. I'll report back on the results. Thanks for the help.

 

[Armyboater]

Re: OMC Cobra Engine Alignment

Ok I just got back from trying to wobble the gimbal and that is definitely my problem. I got it to where the tool would go in about 1" and I could see the splines on the end. I just need to keep working on the gimbal until I can get it to slide in and out fairly easily and then start adjusting the motor mounts. Any other tips would be greatly appreciated. I spent about 2 hours to get it about that far. Thanks for the help.

 

[Gilded_Splinters]

Re: OMC Cobra Engine Alignment

I hope you're not doing this alone.

Once you start to put a finer point on the alignment, you'll DEFINITELY want one person in the boat tweeking the mounts and one outside working the alignment tool. Otherwise you'll run yourself ragged climbing in and out of the boat and will probably give up at the "close enough" stage.