OMC won't shift into forward gear

[bheston]

I have an OMC outdrive on a 1987 Bayliner, 3.0L engine. I bought the boat knowing the lower unit has problems but don't have any more information. I put it in the water and it will shift into reverse and seems to run fine, unit is quiet and goes in and out of gear good. When I shift to forward, I don't hear the unit trying to engage, and I don't go anywhere. When the shift lever in engaged in forward I can hear a light ticking sound from the lower unit.

With the boat out of the water I can put the shift lever in forward and the prop is fully engaged, I can turn it by hand and the engine is trying to turn over. Why wouldn't it engage in the water??

Thanks for the help

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: OMC won't shift into forward gear

Howdy,

If you want to fix it yourself, get yourself an OMC service manual. OMC# 507605 and have a look at http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/

It's most likely a simple adjustment a defective lower shift cable.

Reading that link above will explain a lot.


Cheers,


Rick

 

[subcrx]

Re: OMC won't shift into forward gear

what is your idle at when trying to shift in the water?

 

[bheston]

Re: OMC won't shift into forward gear

what is your idle at when trying to shift in the water?

I didn't pay real close attention, it comes down to a pretty slow idle about what I would expect, enough that the motor chugs around a little (needs a little tune-up also). Can idle speed effect how it shifts into gear, other than grinding more if it is too fast?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: OMC won't shift into forward gear

Do the stuart adjustment. Please post the result.

 

[bheston]

Re: OMC won't shift into forward gear

So to follow Stuarts directions to adjust the shift cable, I have to pull the entire outdrive off the boat, is that correct?

 

[gdombroski]

Re: OMC won't shift into forward gear

No all adjusments are done with everything inplace. High idle could cause clunk as when you are shifting the ESA throttles back the engine and it returns to idle speed in couple of seconds. Correct idle is normally @ 600-650 when in gear.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: OMC won't shift into forward gear

No all adjusments are done with everything inplace. High idle could cause clunk as when you are shifting the ESA throttles back the engine and it returns to idle speed in couple of seconds. Correct idle is normally @ 600-650 when in gear.

No, there not. The drive must be removed to adjust the bellcrank so it's at a perfect 90 deg. angle, & the shift cable guide must also be set so it's flush with the lower unit housing. You can't do these adjustments with the drive on, it's impossible. I know what I'm talking about, because I've tried all the shortcuts & it's a waste of time. Go back & read the instructions. It's all there.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: OMC won't shift into forward gear

I don't want to sound harsh, you bought the boat knowing it had problems.

Read stuarts adjustments carefully, 2-3 times. Then follow the instructions.

Post how you made out.

Hopefully it's a adjustment problem. We won't know till you post the result.

It's not a five minute kinda deal. Probably 2-3 day kinda deal.

It is what it is.

We are here to help you.

Good luck!