omc cobra shift lever adjustment

[inohv8]

Hi Folks.
I pulled my outdrives off for the winter to have them cleaned and flushed over the winter as my port engine did not shift properly, ( sticking).. it was full of sludge and now shifts fine on the bench.. but the omc manual says to set the measurement for 7 13/64 in neutral to from the top of the shifter to the base plate .. I checked the drive that did shift properly and it was out by about 1/4 inch if I mount the measure stick on the shifter plate, its 1/2 inch out.. did anyone ever do this adjustment? Now is the time before I put them back on... YOur assistance is greatly appreciated.. 1989 cobra
thanks much.
Stan

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: omc cobra shift lever adjustment

They made so many running changes to the shift setup on those its impossible to give any advice not knowing exactly what parts have been changed. 'nutcase

 

[bruceb58]

Re: omc cobra shift lever adjustment

Not sure how you made your measurements but you need to have the bellcrank set to a 90 degree angle. Did you do that first? Are you using a factory manual to guide you in making any adjustments? If not, I suggest you read it fairly carefully first before proceeding any further.

Holding the bellcrank at 90 degrees is critical. If you don't do that(easier with the special tool)none of the other measurements mean anything.

Actually, there have really been no part changes to the setup. The only thing that has changed is the instructions to do the setup.

Read this article for more guidance.
http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/

 

[inohv8]

Re: omc cobra shift lever adjustment

I guess the answer is in front of my face with the OMC Manual with the shifter adjustment ( forked end), it says in Neutral the adjustment must be at 7 13/64 from base plate to top of fork... but in reality, its the proper measurement in forward and not Neutral..
Once the drive is back on the transom, there is no adjustments except via the cable..
I did notice that the drive that is giving me trouble seems to have been replaced at one time and someone put a stip of tape on the shift rod for adjustment... I guess I should just close my eyes, do the adjustment as per the book which means removing the lower grear from the mid to do it ( bummer after I just refilled it with oil).. and do any final adjustments and fine tuning at the linkage on top of the engine where the shift cable runs to and to the stumble switch.... and spend the bucks to get a couple of new shift cables.. I purchased this unit 2 years ago and last year was the actual first year that I had it in the water for the entire season.. which is when I realized the port engine shift had a problem.. however when I took the boat for the test drive prior to final payment, it shifted fine.. can only assume the cable cot coroded over the first winter plus the difference is measurment.. made it a double whammy... do you guys think I am on the right track? the drives are heavy and want to do it once and only once.. as once she's in the water, I wish to take her places and not just use her for a summer cottage stuck in her slip.
Stan ( inohv8). ( bellcrank was at 90 degree)

 

[inohv8]

Re: omc cobra shift lever adjustment

I suppose the shift lever is not the issue right now, but the shift rod. the omc manual says 7 13/64 from case to top of fork in the neutral possition, the sbrd drive which shift correctly without issues was set for 7 13/64 from case to the top of fork in the full down possition and not center ( neutral).. I think I will have to pull both lower gear cases off and adjust both to spec. and re-adjust at the engine union to work so that the stumble switch actually works... to spec.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: omc cobra shift lever adjustment

Is this coming from an original OMC factory service manual or is it a Seloc or Clymers manual?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: omc cobra shift lever adjustment

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=199972

 

[bruceb58]

Re: omc cobra shift lever adjustment

Ah...you are in the procee of adjusting the shift fork in the lower unit. Sorry got cornfused!

There are a lot of information out there that contradicts what the measurements should be. make sure you look at the hastings link I posted.

 

[inohv8]

Re: omc cobra shift lever adjustment

yes, this is from the omc manual not the seloc, all other material also spec, 7 13/64 but like I mentioned, its that measure in the down possition and not the neutral... plus when I checked last summer, the stumble switch never came into play... on either drive.