Slight clunk after engaging into gear

[acuraguy81]

I have noticed a small and slight clunk kinda like the out drive bumped a log after I engage into gear at a slow idle. Some times it happends 5 seconds after putting it into gear some times never or up to 60 seconds.

Any idea's

1990 omc 4.3 cobra

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Slight clunk after engaging into gear

Mine does it too. I read somewhere it's the dog clutch not fully engaging and it's only a matter of time before it stops working altogether. For the rest of the season I'm waiting until I hear the clunk before I put the spurs to her.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Slight clunk after engaging into gear

Mine would do that like maybe once or twice per outing, I pulled the drive and made a slight adjustment of maybe three threads on the cable nut and reset the fulcrum at the engine bracket and it hasn't done it again the rest of last season to present.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Slight clunk after engaging into gear

From the day I bought the boat I've been resigned to the fact that it's an OMC and will probably fail. When it does I'll decide if I want to dump any more $$ into a 20 yo rig.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Slight clunk after engaging into gear

what a concept.
My 20 yr old OMC routine maintainence (like shift cable adjustments) and ZERO problems. It'l go another 20

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Slight clunk after engaging into gear

Wow. That looks brand new! Did you get it looking like that?

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Slight clunk after engaging into gear

For the most part yes. I replaced the shift cable during the first off season, the second off season I split the halves and re-sealed for the sake of learning and something to tinker with in my basement, the third season I had to re adjust the shift cable, well into the 4th season and all it good, we play pretty hard with it.

 

[acuraguy81]

Re: Slight clunk after engaging into gear

Can you explain to me what the fulcrum is so I know a little more about where the adjustment is.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Slight clunk after engaging into gear

It's a barrel shaped, slips into a pocket retained by a cotter pin, it screws onto the cable. I called it a fulcrum but not sure what it's technical term is.

 

[acuraguy81]

Re: Slight clunk after engaging into gear

I will have to see it. I do not remember seeing it when the drive was off. I will look in my book.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Slight clunk after engaging into gear

That's because it's up on the engine bracket, you should be able to go out there right now and with the gearshift in neutral, pull the pin and slip the barrel out of that little pocket without any resistance, all it takes is a couple threads off to cause probelms.

 

[acuraguy81]

Re: Slight clunk after engaging into gear

Ok i will look tomorrow the boat was in the water all day got me some new tires on the trailer. Which way should I turn it or just kinda guess?

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Slight clunk after engaging into gear

Just remove the cotter pin and slip it straight out, you'll know if you have to adjust it, it needs to slide perfectly into the socket, one or two turns makes a difference, slide it in an put the cotter pin back.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Slight clunk after engaging into gear

Did you download the original OMC manual? I'm looking at section 11, page 16 at the top?

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Slight clunk after engaging into gear

bump

 

[acuraguy81]

Re: Slight clunk after engaging into gear

no i own the book