When pulling the outdrive off...

[schankla]

I was just going through some instructions and manuals because i plan to pull the outdrive off my 87 omc cobra setup in the spring for the first time. The instructions say to pull the gear oil gauge out of the top and thread in a "lifting eye," will those threads really support all the weight of the outdrive? I guess im a little sceptical. How many of you guys actually use a cherry picker to take off the outrdrive?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: When pulling the outdrive off...

I always just pulled mine with the help of a neighbor.It is not so heavy that 2 people can't handle it.
Take the prop off and drain the lube...it helps a little.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: When pulling the outdrive off...

Never used one, can always use wood under the skeg to hold the height.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: When pulling the outdrive off...

I carry it into the house down the steps to the basement. Like said above, with the drive in full down I can just pull it right off the transom balancing most of the weight on the skeg, then I reposition my grip to the bear hug and off I go. If you do not have the physical fitness than the dip-stick threads will easily support the weight standard 1/2" eye bolt from hardware store.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: When pulling the outdrive off...

I only use cherry picker on SX Duo-Props and Bravo IIIs...not so young any more! 'nutcase

 

[flyer4ever]

Re: When pulling the outdrive off...

I know what your saying the threads do not look very strong. I took my cobra off for the time after getting the boat a few weeks ago. I built one of the wooden support that I found in the Adults section and had no trouble handeling it myself and i'm 60yrs old. Wouldn't want to carry it far but I would guess it weights about 75 lbs. Have fun,it's not all that bad and it's a good learning experence.

 

[Lou C]

Re: When pulling the outdrive off...

I didn't think that was a good idea either...and don't like back pain...so I got some wood together and build a stand....makes it an easy job...I just roll it back into the garage and that's it till spring....

 

[schankla]

Re: When pulling the outdrive off...

thanks for the input, i plan to build a little wooden stand. im also wondering how much further than pulling the outdrive off do i have to do to replace both of the bellows? in pictures it looks like id have to take off the pivot housing aswell is this true?

 

[schankla]

Re: When pulling the outdrive off...

anothing thing. do you guys replace those little gaskets on the gear oil fill and empty bolts everytime you replace the gear oil? i had some milky gear oil this fall and im thinking thats where it came from, that or the bellows?

 

[Lou C]

Re: When pulling the outdrive off...

It's a good idea to replace all of the drain/ fill gaskets....
Milky oil could be from them...but there are many other places it could get in so having it pressure tested in the off season is a good idea...
About the bellows...it depends on condition...when you get the drive off....check for water in the bellows...should be NONE...could be some grease from the gimble bearing..if you find gear oil in there it's the input shaft seal..
If the bellows had no water and there are no cracks in the rubber it's probably fine...as a general rule...they last longer if you keep the drive down during storage....

 

[schankla]

Re: When pulling the outdrive off...

do you fill the gearoil through the bottom drain or the top...the manual says to fill it through the top plug and calls that plug the fill plug. but ive always heard that you should fill the gear case through the bottom "drain" plug to ensure that there are no air bubbles in it. How do you guys do it?

 

[Lou C]

Re: When pulling the outdrive off...

do you fill the gearoil through the bottom drain or the top...the manual says to fill it through the top plug and calls that plug the fill plug. but ive always heard that you should fill the gear case through the bottom "drain" plug to ensure that there are no air bubbles in it. How do you guys do it?

Uh Oh I hear the sound of someone working with out a service manual...who is about to do it the WRONG way and ruin a good Cobra....you better find out the right way...because it's not the way you think....you're lucky that you can get some good info on the web....but you better get that manual or you'll cost yourself thousands...
for instructions from the OE manuals for removing/replacing the drive and changing the gear oil see..
www.crowleymarine.com
look for the tab 'product support' look in omc drives..under cobra...and print it all out...while it's still there....

 

[cr2k]

Re: When pulling the outdrive off...

Put the bottom plug back in pull the one a little further up and forward and fill through there to the top hole and just to the ring on the dipstick. Run and re check.

If you fill thru the bottom you will have to pull the other one till it flows oil then replace it and continue to fill to the top dip stick.

If you fail to do this there will be a cavity that will be empty and fry the drive.

Filling thru the center hole pushes the trapped air out and fills all the voids.

 

[schankla]

Re: When pulling the outdrive off...

thats strange because i filled it the incorrect way last year and used it all summer didnt seem to have broken anything. Although im having trouble shifting into reverse but i think its got something to do with the shift cable or shift assist. The boat normally shifts into reverse fine comeing off the boat lift but after a trip around the lake it wont shift into neutral without shutting off the engine and then it shifts into neutral and reverse just fine. any comments?

 

[jt185]

Re: When pulling the outdrive off...

thats strange because i filled it the incorrect way last year and used it all summer didnt seem to have broken anything. Although im having trouble shifting into reverse but i think its got something to do with the shift cable or shift assist. The boat normally shifts into reverse fine comeing off the boat lift but after a trip around the lake it wont shift into neutral without shutting off the engine and then it shifts into neutral and reverse just fine. any comments?

Doesn't sound like anythings wrong at all.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: When pulling the outdrive off...

Assuming the shift cable and shift assist module are adjusted properly, try reducing the idle speed, coincides with what your saying about not wanting to come out of neutral after a trip around the lake because the motor then has warmed up to operating temp and the idle probably increased beyond spec.

 

[schankla]

Re: When pulling the outdrive off...

I thinkyourr onto something because when i rebuilt the carb. i adjusted the idle without haveing the specs. also when i first come off the boat lift it gets into rev and really wants to go quickly in reverse. do you think i could just need to make some adjustment and the shift assist could be just fine?

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: When pulling the outdrive off...

You don't even need tools to check the shift assist module, just depress the contact button with you finger it should cause the engine to misfire and cut out momentarily, the idle speed needs to be below 600RPM in gear.
I think my previous post was misleading as the assist module itself is a fixed non adjustable position.