OMC Outdrive Removal--1 person job?

[murphini]

All:

3rd year of winterizing. 89 OMC Cobra. For gimball bering lube, I read DonS post on unbolt trim cylinders, remove 6 bolts and remove outdrive. Newbie question--is it that easy? 1 person job? (Manual says put a lifting eyebolt in the lube dipstick hole because it is so heavy.) I winterized last year, but had bellows serviced so shop did the outdrive removal/lubing. I paid someone to do winterizing 2 years ago, so I've done all except this outdrive removal step.

1. Can 1 person do it, lift off and lift back on?
2. When it's off, anything else to check?
3. Any gaskets to replace--if so, where order-- online?
4. Is this where the engine allignment comes tool in?
5. Basically should I pay someone to do this part?

Great info on all other parts, just want more detail before I get in over my head and have to make a really dumb post like..."so I was taking off my outdrive when.....x happened"

Thanks

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: OMC Outdrive Removal--1 person job?

The problem with the eyebolt in the dipstick hole is that some boats just don't have the clearance due to the swim platform overhang.

You don't need to remove the drive to lube the gimbal bearing, there is a grease zerk on the starboard side of the transom mount however you do need to remove it to grease the u-joints.

One person can do it but it is a little heavy (approx 100 lbs) and can be awkward, nice to have an extra hand when the shaft comes out so it doesn't drop down hard.

If doing by yourself either build a small stand so you can just slide the drive out on to the stand or at least have some kind of platform to take the weight at the skeg instead of your back!

When re-installing you should borrow/buy an alignment tool to make sure the engine is in alignment with the gimbal bearing. You can get the oring/gasket set an any marina that does stern drives (they might have to order) or all kinds of places online to order from (mail order).

Should always check the bellows when off and the water pump impellar (drive doesn't need to be off for this)

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: OMC Outdrive Removal--1 person job?

I think I'd have a shop do it.While you can't mess the shift linkage as with a Mercruiser,it can be a nasty drive to put back on.

Cobra's came out in 1986,so I've probably done this ..... 300 times? I don't know,but even now there are 1 or 2 to tell stories about how hard installation was each year.

DHP

 

[bruceb58]

Re: OMC Outdrive Removal--1 person job?

1. Can 1 person do it, lift off and lift back on?
2. When it's off, anything else to check?
3. Any gaskets to replace--if so, where order-- online?
4. Is this where the engine allignment comes tool in?
5. Basically should I pay someone to do this part?

1) One person can take it off but you will need a helper to put it back on.
2) Check/Lube u-joints and gimbal bearing. Check bellows.
3) Large gasket that goes between upper gear housing and housing that has the bellows attatched to it. Water passage gasket.
4) Check alignment.
5) Depends on your ability.

 

[KrisHall]

Re: OMC Outdrive Removal--1 person job?

I pulled one out of my 88 cobra last night alone with no help...But the gimbal bearing was stuck to the shaft and it was a JOB getting it out.

If it's never been out before you may have a rather exerting job ahead of you.

In addition to the other advise I suggest yanking the prop before you -throw down- on it as a precaution to help keep from slicing yourself up.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: OMC Outdrive Removal--1 person job?

1. Can 1 person do it, lift off and lift back on?
2. When it's off, anything else to check?
3. Any gaskets to replace--if so, where order-- online?
4. Is this where the engine allignment comes tool in?
5. Basically should I pay someone to do this part?

1) One person can take it off but you will need a helper to put it back on.
2) Check/Lube u-joints and gimbal bearing. Check bellows.
3) Large gasket that goes between upper gear housing and housing that has the bellows attatched to it. Water passage gasket.
4) Check alignment.
5) Depends on your ability.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: OMC Outdrive Removal--1 person job?

done them by myself almost 20 years, the only ones I get help on are bravo and the new volvo DP-G drives. those I use a lift I built.
a tip. trim the drive down until its level of very close to it, then us 2X6"s or equivalent blocks so when the trim ram pin is removed the drive weight is supported by the blocks on the skeg. that way all you support is side to side and not the vertical weight of the drive. the other tip is use the bellows from volvo as the ujoint yoke openeing is larger and even then sometimes I use dishwashing liquid to lube the ujoint cross.

 

[murphini]

Re: OMC Outdrive Removal--1 person job?

Thanks all.

What I really need is to find someone who has this setup in his garage already with a stand and the alignment tool, plus walk me thru the whole gasket thing. My role would be to help lift, shine the flashlight, stay out of the way, and buy the beer when it's done.

But in the meantime, I'll have it done at a shop. It sure is cheaper to keep 'em maintained than to fix/replace later on.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: OMC Outdrive Removal--1 person job?

key words, buy beer AFTER its done

 

[lakelivin]

Re: OMC Outdrive Removal--1 person job?

I'm a rookie & found it very easy to do by myself ('89 4.3L Cobra). The key was using a homemade outdrive stand. If you're interested, see the link below for intructions on building a stand from scrap 2x4's and plywood. Mine slid off very easily and I had no problem replacing it without an alignment bar, but can't say that this would be representative of all Cobras....

Might not be a bad idea to watch the shop pull it & put it back on once if they'll let you.

http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=24;gtid=462940;gpid=462947#gpid462947

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: OMC Outdrive Removal--1 person job?

I pull it and install it by myself. No stand required. I do put a thick rag(like an old bath towel) crumpled up under the skeg. So that when it comes off it can rest on it before I carry it away into my heated garage.

There are complete kits available for general drive maintenance. With a basic parts diagram you can see where to change what. A manual, even a cheaper clymer or seloc, is a valuable tool you should have too.

See here for cobras:

http://www.sterndrive.info/index.html