OMC Cobra Outdrive/Transom Cable

[Bajadock]

I've been working on 1988 5.7L OMC with OMC Cobra outdrive. The outdrive cable is new, but, someone else installed it. After several attempts to adjust Forward/Reserve, according to the strict guidance of the original maintenance manual, here are my challenges:

1. Can push/pull the tranmission linkage by hand(remote cables off), but it takes a significant force(approx 40lbs) to move it into Reverse. Forward has a similar resistance. The resistance is more at the Neutral end of the shift throw than when closer to F or R.
2. When remote control cables are attached, cannot engage Reverse fully from my flybridge controls or my cabin controls. At engine, by hand, I can move it the last 1/8" to 1/4" into reverse.
3. No, the Electronic Shift Assistance is not an issue.

Photo shows reverse fully enaged position of shift cable housing.

Have followed following instructions via manual and following:
http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/

Have read several iboats and other forum threads that are related, including...
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=331906&highlight=OMC+outdrive+cable

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=330845&highlight=OMC+outdrive+cable

Technicians familiar with OMC outdrives are not easily found here in Ensenada, 2 hours south of San Diego.

1. Any/all suggestions, gotchas, experiences welcome.
2. Anyone with OMC 5.7L and OMC Cobra outdrive in SD or Orange County who would be willing to let us see correct setup/operation would score beverage of their choice for the live show at your marina/dock/garage.

THANKS

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: OMC Cobra Outdrive/Transom Cable

You have to be turning the prop by hand to similate a shift on dry land, the cable routing has to be in a relaxed natural position, on my boat the cable routes behind the steering knuckle, is the shift resistance in the forward cables free? I'm going back to read over your post again I've already forgot what all you've tried. That all looks ok from the photo's but I'm wondering what you've got downstairs, I would pull the drive off and verify the shift lever is 90 degrees to the casing when in neutral because if not the F-R throws won't be equal. There's just no way around it adjusting the lower cable has to be done in the proper steps beginning with shift rod height and for that the drive has to come off. It should look like this.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: OMC Cobra Outdrive/Transom Cable

You do have the drive removed and the bell crank set at 90* at the lower end of the cable?

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: OMC Cobra Outdrive/Transom Cable

Thats the term I was looking for belcrank (I called it the shift lever)

 

[Bajadock]

Re: OMC Cobra Outdrive/Transom Cable

Thanks Gary and Eliminator, very much appreciate replies to my first post.
Boat is in water, Ensenada Cruiseport Marina. Hauling it out may be next step.

Geographical sidenote to Eliminator is that I grew up in Cleveland, but, escaped a few decades ago.

And Gary, headed near you to my sister's in Greensboro in 2 weeks, as well as her boat at Smith Mountain Lake, VA.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: OMC Cobra Outdrive/Transom Cable

If you notice the picture that a70eliminator posted, the cavity that has the shift cable is full of grease. That cavity will get full of crusty deposits when the boat sits in saltwater. That is why he has it full of grease. One thing that may have happened with yours is that the cavity was not filled with grease and it is now full of deposits. There was actually a fitting that OMC came out with that replaces the sleeve that the bellcrank rotates on. It had a zerk fitting that allowed you to pump grease into it from outside the drive. For mine, that made all the difference in the world to keep it shifting smoothly.

 

[Bajadock]

Re: OMC Cobra Outdrive/Transom Cable

BruceB,
We've had boat in marina salt water for 2 months now so possibility is high on your idea. So you have a reference or part# for that grease fitting?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: OMC Cobra Outdrive/Transom Cable

I wish I did. It has been over 10 years since I installed that part aand I don't own the boat anymore. Basically, you drive out the bushingthat the present bell crank pivots on and replace with the one with the bellcrank. I have no idea if the bushing that is in there can be modified with a zerk or not. Could very well be that the new bushing is thicker on the outside to accomodate the threads for the zerk.

 

[Bajadock]

Re: OMC Cobra Outdrive/Transom Cable

Long day at marina today. We're getting ready to haul her out of the water,
and pull the outdrive.

Anyone have an OMC Outdrive mechanic referral in San Diego County?
THANKS:redface: