Shifting Problem

[jkgregg]

i have a 2.3L omc cobra and i just put a new motor in it and put it on the boat today. before the engine swap, it was shifting just fine. however, today it was extremely hard to shift into neutral from forward. i did not take remove or adjust anything that had to do with the cables. Anyone has any suggestions on this?

thanks in advance.

 

[rs2k]

Re: Shifting Problem

Remove the shift cable (that runs from the control box) from the shift converter on the engine. Check to make sure it works correctly. You may have kinked it while installing the motor.

 

[danond]

Re: Shifting Problem

Your idle is too high. Get it below 800 or the ESA/eletronic shift assist doesn't do anything. I've found the best idle for any Cobra is as low as you can get it and still have it idle consistently without dieing.

Also re-adjust the cable by the book. There is no room for error with Cobra shift cables.

It's not kinked. If it were kinked, it wouldn't shift at all.

 

[jkgregg]

Re: Shifting Problem

thank you. i will take it out again today and let you know how it went.

 

[skeat]

Re: Shifting Problem

if you replaced the engine then you must've removed the cables. You will have to check all the engine bracket dimensions to make sure they are correct. Any slight change in the trunnion adjustment can create excess tension and make shifting difficult.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Shifting Problem

You need to verify that your ESA is working properly. You can test it by depressing the microswitch and see if the engine stumbles.

 

[jkgregg]

Re: Shifting Problem

skeat, when i removed the engine, i did not have to remove any cables. trust me. dan, you were right. i had the idle too high, as soon as i turned it down it worked just fine. thanks. i spent all day on the lake. also, that was an amazing rebuild you did. i wish i had the determination as you do. and your wife must be way more patient then mine. anyway, great job and thanks again.
james