OMC Cobra shift cable adjustment question

[danond]

Those of you who've adjusted the transom shift cable on an OMC Cobra before: Without the "Special OMC Tool" is the 7&5/8" measurement indicated from the shift cable eye to the end of the crimp correct?

Also, I don't have a retaining nut on the threaded end of the cable (on the drive side of the cable). I have the retainer and the bolt that holds the retainer on, but the manual mentions a collared nut on the cable. Am I missing that, or is that a "added later" part? My manual is 1 year newer than my drive.

I used the old "using a straight edge" method of adjustment as indicated on the scanned pages from this site:

http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/

 

[danond]

Re: OMC Cobra shift cable adjustment question

With further digging on that same site it appears the collared retaining nut is considered evil and shouldn't be used, and I've found a few references to the 7&5/8" measurement so I'm going with it.

 

[King P.V.]

Re: OMC Cobra shift cable adjustment question

As a matter of fact, two days ago I was ask'd this very same question. 1) the small "Nut" , tho siutated on some Cobra's was eventually eliminated after OMC decided to put them on. So, better to leave 'em off and avoid any confusion. As to the 7 5/8 dimension, I took the tool that OMC eventually provided and measured the center to center and came out with 7 1/2'" . That's from the center of the hole on the plastic guide to the center of the "jam nut" that fits into the tool. Since the "jam nut" is 1/8" thick (more or less) the measurement would be 7 7/16 to the near edge of the nut OR 7 9/16 to the far side of the jam nut. That dimension is with the plate on the studs and "locking" the bell-crank in place, Then you just "touch" the threaded piece (on the cable core wire) up to the plastic guide at the transom end of the cable. Then install the 3/8" screww, holding the plastic guide with a 9/16 open end wrench . If you have install'd a new cable from OMC, the details of the final cable adjustments are in that instruction sheet with the cable. Any other method of adjustment is difficult and suspect... in my opinion. The 90/protractor method is really ancient history!!!!!! if that's what you'r using! I wouldn't trust anything other than the two special tools and the latest instruction sheets from the new cable or cable kits!!!! BTW, remember also, the pivot arm that the cable attaches to inside the boat MUST be the one with the "dog-leg" design, goes up and then to the right. Kinda. If yours just is straight vertical, you never got the right cable kit and the adjustments will never be correct!!! Good luck!

 

[King P.V.]

Re: OMC Cobra shift cable adjustment question

As a matter of fact, two days ago I was ask'd this very same question. 1) the small "Nut" , tho siutated on some Cobra's was eventually eliminated after OMC decided to put them on. So, better to leave 'em off and avoid any confusion. As to the 7 5/8 dimension, I took the tool that OMC eventually provided and measured the center to center and came out with 7 1/2'" . That's from the center of the hole on the plastic guide to the center of the "jam nut" that fits into the tool. Since the "jam nut" is 1/8" thick (more or less) the measurement would be 7 7/16 to the near edge of the nut OR 7 9/16 to the far side of the jam nut. That dimension is to correctly set the cable in relation with the transom plate secured on the pivot hsg studs and "locking" the bell-crank in place, Then you just "touch" the threaded piece (on the cable core wire) up to the plastic guide at the transom end of the cable. Then install the 3/8" screw, holding the plastic guide with a 9/16 open end wrench . If you have install'd a new cable from OMC, the details of the final cable adjustments are in that instruction sheet with the cable. Any other method of adjustment is difficult and suspect... in my opinion. The 90/protractor method is really ancient history!!!!!! if that's what you'r using! I wouldn't trust anything other than the two special tools and the latest instruction sheets from the new cable or cable kits!!!! BTW, remember also, the pivot arm that the cable attaches to inside the boat MUST be the one with the "dog-leg" design, goes up and then to the right. Kinda. If yours just is straight vertical, you never got the right cable kit and the adjustments will never be correct!!! Good luck!

 

[King P.V.]

Re: OMC Cobra shift cable adjustment question

OOppppsss !! Double post, oh, well!