OMC Outdrive Clunking

[scseaswirl]

I have a 1989 Seaswirl Spyder (been a great boat) that has started clunking this year. It clunks just a little going into gear but sometimes clunks very hard when just driving. Can someone help me understand what part of the outdrive is starting to fail. Is this something that would be in the upper unit or the lower unit? A shop in Oregon (which I have always trusted) indicated I may need a new shift cable. I suspect however that this is a much more significant (and costly) problem related to gears. As I have recently moved to the east coast, I just want to get some opinions before discussing this with prospective shops. Also, does anyone know where I can obtain a service manual for this year OMC?

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: OMC Outdrive Clunking

manual...here on ebay<br /><br /> Ebay search for 1989 OMC Manual <br /><br />OMC had a problem with their shifter cables, so it could be as simple as that...don't want to think about if it is a upper outdrive problem.<br /><br />-JustMrWill

 

[lakelivin]

Re: OMC Outdrive Clunking

This link takes you to the Stuart Hastings online 'bible' of OMC Cobra sterndrive problems. Might not give you a specific answer about your question but you'll find alot of info that might be helpful.<br /><br /> http://www.funkopolis.com:8080/~stuart/cobra/

 

[dcpcccrc]

Re: OMC Outdrive Clunking

the clunking may not be anything other than the cables needing adjusted i wouldn't buy anything until you try that my omc outdrive had the same problem i adjusted them and they work fine my omc is 89 manual's are easy to find cheapest place i have found is amazon you can get new or used

 

[TFStelten]

Re: OMC Outdrive Clunking

The good news is that the clunking is not a major gear problem or unit problem...I promise you! It's simply a shift cable adjustment problem. Mine was repaired 6 years ago after clunking so badly that I thought the outdrive was going to fall off, and has not bothered me since then.

 

[scseaswirl]

Re: OMC Outdrive Clunking

Thanks so much for all the replys. Those help alot getting me started<br /><br />Appreciate the time and help

 

[lakelivin]

Re: OMC Outdrive Clunking

scseaswirl, <br /><br />I've got an '89 seaswirl tempo (17 ft, 6cyl 4.3L). Also been a great boat, never had a problem with it until a local shop left the outdrive oil low last summer which trashed the gears. (But that problem is documented in another thread here.) <br /> <br />Just wanted to share with another Seaswirl owner how pleased I've been with my boat. The guy I got it froms Dad owned a marina when he was younger so he was fairly knowlegdable about boats. He checked out moderately priced boats very thoroughly & ended up driving several hours to buy the seaswirl (I believe they were pretty rare on the east coast back then). <br /><br />Bottom line is that 15 years later it's still tighter, smoother riding, and in better condition than many of my friends boats less than half that age (of course the fact that it's only got 430 hours on it has to help). <br /><br />Don't know what the environment is like today, but based on my boat I've gotta believe that back in '89 Seaswirl was a tremendous value for a moderately priced boat. My only complaint isn't with the boat, only that there aren't more expert OMC techs out there!<br /><br />Anyways, good luck with yours, hope it gives you many more years of pleasure.