OMC Sterndrive Re-install

[JustMrWill]

Removed sterndrive at end of season (after hitting a rock) with drive in neutral. Found replacement drive. Set shifter rod height to messurement Don S. provided in earlier post. Drive tests out great with pressure test. (Yea!) I did not touch/adjust/move shift cable and ASSUMED that if it was correct when I pulled the drive off that it would be correct when I put the new drive on. Installed drive with only minor spline alignment adjustment (15 minutes -YEA! again). Turned prop shaft and got resistance! Verified control in neutral...yup..still get resistance. Move control about 1/2" into forward and shaft moves freely (as if it is in neutral) Read through manual and Stuarts posts.<br /><br />Still alittle confused...to make this adjustment, do I need to pull the drive off or can I make it at the engine? Manual shows a plastic template card to make adjustment..where can I get this?<br /><br />-JustMrWill

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Re-install

Was thinking about this some more...<br /><br />Could I have messed up the shift rod height? Or could the shift cable have been adjusted to the last drive and it's shift rod height was not correct? I don't want to remove outdrive, separate it re-measure shift rod height and find that it is correct then have to make some adjustments to shift cable at motor if all I have to do is make the adjustments at the motor. <br /><br />Any ideas?<br /><br />-JustMrWill

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Re-install

^<br />Anybody?

 

[lakelivin]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Re-install

Bump because I was wondering the same thing.<br /><br />I've also got an OEM Cobra service manual, and I've read Stuarts stuff, but still am not sure it it's mandatory to pull the outdrive to make sure you've got that critical 7&5/8" distance between the center of the shift pin hole to the edge of the cable crimp on the transit shift cable. Possible to do without pulling the drive or no?

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Re-install

I have cost myself more $$$ in fixing things that I broke because I assumed that it was the correct way than the boat cost me to buy. Just trying to be EXTRA careful with my $1k replacement part.<br /><br />Tomorrow I am making the adjustments at the motor bracket unless someone speaks up and tells me tat I have to remove outdrive to get it done corectly. Wish me luck.<br /><br />-JustMrWill

 

[rodbolt]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Re-install

not sure exactly what your attempting to accomplish.<br /> did you follow each and every step in the service manual? if the cable was correct for the last drive and the last drive was set up correctly it will fall back in place.

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Re-install

I did not touch the through transom shift cable since it was working before I removed old drive...so I didn't do any of the cable adjustments it said in the manual.<br /><br />Last drive shifted great...new drive - neutral is not where it "should be". I have to have controller alittle in forward for drive not to be engaged. The only thing I can think of is that the old drive's shift rod was not set to the standard height and maybe last person to have the boat "fudged" the control cables to compensate. If that was the case, then I SHOULD be able to set the cables going from the control box to the motor to correct this without removing the outdrive. is this a correct assumption?<br /><br />In the manual it shows a plactic adjustment card that you use to set the cables...where do I get this or do I need it?<br /><br />Thanks for the reply.<br /><br />-JustMrWill

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Re-install

Ok..re-read manual..now looking up stuart site again...went out to boat looked at inside shift cable and determined that making adjustments there isn't going to solve my problem.<br /><br />Pulled drive off...re-measured shift height... 7 13/64" from base to top of the upper arm. Got that number from Don S...so I hope it is right...maybe I am measuring it wrong..or the measurement was something other then when it is in neutral.<br /><br />I will be checking/adjusting the transom shift cable tomorrow (after re-reading everything again)...hoping to find that that is out of spec..cause if it isn't then I am stumped.<br /><br />-JustMrWill

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Re-install

D@mn D@mn D@mn...I think I found it...too dark to test today.<br /><br />Reading thru stuarts docs...clicked on link to shifter height adjustment (the 7 13/64") and it states that measurement MUST be made from lower unit casting NOT shifter rod cover...can anybody guess where I made my measurements from??? Will let you know if this is it.<br /><br />-JustMrWill

 

[JustMrWill]

Re: OMC Sterndrive Re-install

Ok...finally.<br /><br />Re-adjusted the shift rod to be measured from lower unit casting NOT shift rod cover...and reinstalled last night. Shifts like a dream now.<br /><br />Just wanted to update post with final results.<br /><br />-JustMrWill