Stuart Hastings info for OMC shift adjustment?

[CharlesW]

Checking of my shift adjustment has not been done since I bought my boat new in 1993.
I am thinking it might not be a bad thing to do, even though I'm not having any shift problems.
Maybe I shouldn't fix what ain't broke.

One thing that I'm not totally clear on though.
His information seems to address the Cobra drive up through 1991, but never mentions the later versions.
I think my 1993 is still the "dog clutch" unit since I have read several places that the "cone clutch" was released in 1994.
Do his instructions apply to my 1993 5.0 Cobra as well as the specific years mentioned in his article?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Stuart Hastings info for OMC shift adjustment?

You need to have a current OMC service manual for your model Cobra.

That should tell you if it's a DOG or Cone clutch model.

If it's a Dog, then the Hastings article probably applies. If it's a cone clutch model You'll have an easier time adjusting it.

The year models for the cone clutch don't seem to be set in stone...For example, if you have a 1991 King Cobra, you might have a cone clutch. I know of one locally.

You really need to have the correct service manual to determine for sure.

Having said all that, adjusting it when nothing is wrong with the shifting might put you somewhere you DO NOT want to be.

Unless it's exhibiting symptoms of being out of adjustment, I wouldn't adjust it.

On the other hand, if you pull the drive and replace the bellows, gimbal bearing etc... It might not be a bad idea to check the adjustment.


regards,


Rick

 

[Apathetic]

Re: Stuart Hastings info for OMC shift adjustment?

Definitely get OMC service manual.

My '92 Liberator 201 has a cone clutch King Cobra drive:

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Stuart Hastings info for OMC shift adjustment?

Using the picture from Apethetic above you'll notice the hump on the top of his drive because thats where it changes gears in the cone clutch drive. If you have a dog clutch the top will be flat because it changes gears down in the lower unit.

 

[CharlesW]

Re: Stuart Hastings info for OMC shift adjustment?

You need to have a current OMC service manual for your model Cobra.

You really need to have the correct service manual to determine for sure.

On the other hand, if you pull the drive and replace the bellows, gimbal bearing etc... It might not be a bad idea to check the adjustment.

regards,

Rick

Definitely get OMC service manual.

Using the picture from Apethetic above you'll notice the hump on the top of his drive because thats where it changes gears in the cone clutch drive. If you have a dog clutch the top will be flat because it changes gears down in the lower unit.

The service manual I have is from Clymer and not the factory manual. Is it likely to have enough information on this subject to be of any value? It's 80 miles away right now or I could check for myself.

I will have the outdrive removed to lubricate the U-joints and the gimbal bearing this fall, but hopefully no replacement of anything.

The top of my drive is flat and I feel pretty comfortable that it is the dog clutch unit.

One thing that had be confused was the fact that the article seemed to only include units up to 1991. Note the title of his information:
OMC SERVICE TRAINING
SHIFT SYSTEM ADJUSTMENTS for "KW-RG" (1986-1991)
CLUTCH DOG MODELS

It appears that the date on some of the information is 10/17/1996 and if the 1993 system was included, it could very well have been listed.

Like I said and Rick mentioned, if it is working OK, (It is), I think I will just leave things alone.

The boat is just finishing its 15th season with only one problem with a fuel pickup screen and that wasn't the fault of OMC. I replaced the U-Joints at 12 years just because I thought it might be a good idea. The old ones were fine when I took them apart to inspect them.

 

[Apathetic]

Re: Stuart Hastings info for OMC shift adjustment?

I would definitely buy the OMC service manual specific to your year. Clymer's manual was more generic IMO. I did the same thing with my cars, I bought the factory service manuals for them, too, as they were far better than Haynes or Chiltons.

My OMC has been fantastic, too. The only problem I had was the water pump impeller going bad. After hearing all of the doomsayers here about OMC I seriously considedered switching to Mercruiser or Volvo Penta, but most of the parts for my drive are still readily available according to searches I've made and we even are fortunate enough to have a marine mechanic nearby that worked on the OMC Cobra drives when they first came out and still does. Now, in the end, the OMC doomsayers will be correct, the parts will become more and more scarce. And, obviously, for HT32BSX115 it was already correct. But by then I hope to already have moved to a bigger boat or will have the money to switch drives (we're leaning toward a bigger boat). This is all just my

.

Take care and good luck.

 

[CharlesW]

Re: Stuart Hastings info for OMC shift adjustment?

So where do I buy this manual?
I checked ebay and it appears to be a series of manuals available and none of them really say they apply to the shift cable adjustment.

FWIW, my previous boat was a 1975 Slick Craft with an OMC stringer that I owned for 18 seasons and still had the original ball gears in it. I did have to replace the seals a couple of times. It always ran great and I never knew how bad it was until I started reading web sites.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Stuart Hastings info for OMC shift adjustment?

My 460 King Cobra wasn't "bad" until it broke!!


Ebay is the best and cheapest place to get a manual. I bought a new reproduction for my King Cobra for $100.

Then.....wouldn't you know it? I saw an original manual on ebay I could have gotten for less than $50. It always works that way for me!!

There's a few there right now.

There's always some on there at any given time.


Regards,


Rick

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Stuart Hastings info for OMC shift adjustment?

Another Liberator!!

I just KNEW they made more than one of those!!!

I sure like mine!

Definitely get OMC service manual.

My '92 Liberator 201 has a cone clutch King Cobra drive:

 

[evilratgirl]

Re: Stuart Hastings info for OMC shift adjustment?

As mentioned, the OEM manual and Hastings is a great source for proper adjustment. I also agree with the if it ain't broke don't fix it concept as well.

BUT. As goes the idea of checking alignment when the drive is removed, checking the shift adjustment isn't a bad thing. If you follow the manual while things are working correctly, you can get a better feel of what is needed to be done when things aren't right. I'm not saying to remove or change adjustments, just follow the flow of how it works. This knowlage will help dispell the OMC voodoo spirits.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Stuart Hastings info for OMC shift adjustment?

Here is the whole set of factory manuals for 99 bucks! I buy a lot of stuff from this place and the seller will always find about any book you need.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1993...emQQcategoryZ26453QQihZ010QQitemZ200051229351

 

[CharlesW]

Re: Stuart Hastings info for OMC shift adjustment?

Thanks for all the suggestions.
As usual, I still have a few things to resolve in my mind.
1. The $99 set of manuals seems to contain a lot more information than I will ever make use of.
2. Some of the OEM manuals on ebay refer to MD models of the 1993 Cobra. Was there more than one model of the Cobra built in 1993? I'm aware of the "King Cobra", but was under the impression that only the two models were produced. Does this MD designation mean anything to any of you?

Should I start another thread for the manual question?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Stuart Hastings info for OMC shift adjustment?

Go here for another source:

http://www.marineengine.com/manuals/omc_sterndrive/order_1980-93.html

Looks like JV is what you need if you really have a 93.

Also look at this:

http://www.marineengine.com/assets/content.gif

 

[CharlesW]

Re: Stuart Hastings info for OMC shift adjustment?

Go here for another source:

http://www.marineengine.com/manuals/omc_sterndrive/order_1980-93.html

Looks like JV is what you need if you really have a 93.

Also look at this:

http://www.marineengine.com/assets/content.gif

Thanks.

The first link has the service manual for $85, new.

The used one on ebay at $99 doesn't seem to be that much of a bargain unless I'm missing something.

The second link didn't work for me. Just got a page with a small icon in the upper left corner that almost looks like a page of text.

My boat is definitely a 1993, but I will check the numbers on the motor and see it it is actually a 1993 or if the engines/outdrives are a year behind because of manufacturing time tables.

Thanks again.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Stuart Hastings info for OMC shift adjustment?

"MD" is definitely for 1994 drives, the JV is for 93 and AM is for 92, please check your engine model number before deciding which manual to buy. If yours is a 93 then you going to see something like " 502APRJVB "