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  1. Lou C

    Changing the U-Joint on an OMC Cobra Out Drive, OD

    What about the drive shaft & ujoints? Once you get it right it will be fine. I have had good luck with mine now used & moored in salt water 20+ years. Pulling the drive yearly, doing pressure & vacuum tests & changing & adjusting the shift cable when needed is what it takes to make it last….
  2. Lou C

    Replacing transom foam seal

    “Easy” and “trim hoses” doesn’t belong in the same sentence! Proper line wrenches and maybe judicious use of heat will likely be needed. If the rubber is cracked then yes have at it but if not, leave ‘em!
  3. Lou C

    Bottom paint around transom assembly

    If you want to paint that area just use the same safe for Alu paint you use on the outdrive…just use an alu safe paint stripper…be careful sanding any bottom paint they are all toxic to an extent!
  4. Lou C

    OMC COBRA 5.8 EFI and ESA

    Did TC rebuild the whole drive or just the lower or upper? I would contact them if it’s a recent rebuild. If you want to check it yourself here’s OMC’s specs: Pressure test, first 6 psi then 16-18 psi Vacuum test first 5”Hg then 15”Hg Yep there’s no way a high gear oil level causes shifting...
  5. Lou C

    Mercruiser 4.3L won't start

    That’s the part # of the intake manifold. Merc puts a plate above the starter
  6. Lou C

    Changing the U-Joint on an OMC Cobra Out Drive, OD

    Marine engine.com Been using them for years
  7. Lou C

    2002 240 Four Winns Volvo 5.7 Penta winterization process

    It's not that hard, just make sure to poke all the drain holes, due to the way cast iron corrodes, rust flakes can clog the block and manifold drains. I also like to coat the hose flanges with marine grease, this helps the hoses not get rusted on to the water pump and thermostat housing and...
  8. Lou C

    Changing the U-Joint on an OMC Cobra Out Drive, OD

    Because the tail end of the bellows is snapped into the pivot housing, it doesn't attach to the bearing carrier as the front end is clamped to the gimble housing flange, therefore the bearing carrier has to be pressed into the lip of the tail end of the bellows to keep water out. When you are...
  9. Lou C

    Changing the U-Joint on an OMC Cobra Out Drive, OD

    OK read the procedure for replacing the driveshaft, bearings and drive gear. This is like setting up a differential, not a job for someone who has no experience with drivetrain repairs. I would leave this one to a pro.
  10. Lou C

    Changing the U-Joint on an OMC Cobra Out Drive, OD

    The bearing carrier pushes into the aft end of the bellows and that has to seal. Now when you repaired it, is the shape the same as original? If not then that could cause a leak. One thing I have always done was coat that area of the bearing carrier with Evinrude triple guard grease and also the...
  11. Lou C

    Greasing the Gimbal

    I do it yearly. I grease it after I pull the drive while turning it by hand so I can check it for smooth movement.
  12. Lou C

    going to buy a used mercruiser

    What about the rest of the boat? That era of a ‘glass/wood boat will have plenty of places for rot to have developed, be very careful!
  13. Lou C

    Changing the U-Joint on an OMC Cobra Out Drive, OD

    When I get a chance, I'll take a look at my OMC Cobra FSM to see what the procedure is for doing this job.
  14. Lou C

    OMC COBRA 5.8 EFI and ESA

    Common leak areas on the Cobra are the water pump adapter seal and the shift rod seal.
  15. Lou C

    Changing the U-Joint on an OMC Cobra Out Drive, OD

    GLM appears to make it but the quality of their parts is questionable sometimes. I'd also check if Sierra makes it. Other options are used, or having yours restored to the point where it's usable. OEM is not available..... Not cheap, and I'm not sure but the gear on the end may have to be...
  16. Lou C

    Changing the U-Joint on an OMC Cobra Out Drive, OD

    Given the level of corrosion, I agree with the fact that the input shaft seal is likely to leak. I would think about having a shop do it, and maybe replace that whole input shaft/u-joint assembly with a good used one or aftermarket, if the OEM is not available. What year is this? I thought it...
  17. Lou C

    OMC COBRA 5.8 EFI and ESA

    Looks like you have a leaky seal somewhere; the drive sucked in water when it cooled that’s why the level was high.
  18. Lou C

    Suggestions on LongBlock Supplier

    Yes, it depends on how pitted the cast iron of the cylinder walls & the block deck sealing surfaces got from salt water exposure.
  19. Lou C

    OMC COBRA 5.8 EFI and ESA

    No those gears are always running in gear oil Your not shifting from in-gear to neutral is a likely result of: 1) an out of adjustment shift cable 2) ESA system not functioning 3) idle speed too high, or after being set correctly it starts drifting up When you trigger the interrupt switch by...
  20. Lou C

    Suggestions on LongBlock Supplier

    The other day when I drained the water out of the block I pulled the ‘stat housing like I do every few years to make sure the manifold water passage isn’t getting thin and it still seems really solid. If the rest of the block is that good inside I wonder if I could just pull the heads that I...
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