Remote shifter replacement (1991 OMC Cobra application)

[ruggles]

Well the winter season is upon us and I am going to take a final crack at solving my shifting issues (having either forward or reverse).I have replaced the shift cable with the tools and had shifting for a couple weeks before going out of adjustment. I'm going to replace the original remote shift cable and the transom shift cable with OEM if I can find them.

My questions for now is:

1) When I take the remote shifter out to check for proper operation what should I be looking for? I don't want to replace both cables only to still have the same issues. I think it's ok and just needs the original cable replaced.

2) If I decide to replace the shifter, what model do I need? Are they mostly compatible?

I really want this boat to work. The motor runs very nicely. The boat is a Mariah MX-19 bowrider. I need to redo the seats etc but I am not going to bother unless it shifts right.


Thank you and have a Merry Christmas everyone.

Ruggles from Vancouver Canada

 

[proshadetree]

Look for slack in your original shifter. Free motion will limit travel. Next see if there is multiple positions on your original shifter. Put it in the farthest hole from the center, it will allow more travel. Most any dual action shifter will work. Alternatively you can pick a dual single action shifter or a single action shifter and a hotfoot for the fuel pedal.

 

[ruggles]

Ok that gives me a start. I'll take out the shifter and see if there is any slack and any adjustments to be made. Thank you

 

[proshadetree]

Mine had a spot that said omc and one that said merc. I moved it to the most oitboard spot that stated merc. Adjusted it to center. That was 6 years ago. Also Cobras like low idel speeds 5 to 600. They dont change well over that.

 

[ruggles]

How do you remove the shift lever to pull off the controls to get at the cables?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Post a picture of the controller, We can't see what yer seein',....

 

[bruceb58]

Make sure you tie wrap the cable that goes from the console shifter all the way back to the engine. I used to tie wrap my OMC Cobra cable to the steering cable. If the cable is flopping around, it creates a tone of "lost motion" which is the equivalent of play in your console shifter.

 

[ruggles]

I will try to post a pic of the shifter in the coming days. It wasn't letting me do so off my phone. Just kept saying "working" but it never did lol. I will definitely try tying it to the steering cable as well. I just measured it and it was 11'6" so i am assuming it's a 12ft cable. I don't live in the same town as the boat is in so it makes things difficult.