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  1. DBreskin

    1992 Cobra 5.8L carbureted cold start/idle problem

    I have a OMC 5.8L carbureted engine. It runs fine when warm, When cold, I have to pump the throttle a few times to get it to start, and keep the throttle at fast idle to keep it running until it's warm; about 3-4 minutes. I suspect the electric choke is not functioning properly. Can anyone...
  2. DBreskin

    How to change oil filter without spilling oil in the bilge?

    The oil filter on my Ford 351W block is mounted at a 45 degree angle. When I unscrew it from the block it leaks oil from the filter can into the bilge. It's a mess to clean up. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to avoid the mess, other than laying a bunch of shop rags in the bilge?
  3. DBreskin

    Brake line replacement

    My 3 year old trailer came with a 2 year warranty. You can guess where this is going. The brake line is routed through a hole about 4 inches behind the actuator into the frame. It runs inside the frame back to the axle, where it exits the frame and it connected to a tee fitting before running...
  4. DBreskin

    Philadelphia fireworks at Penn's Landing 2012

    I hope to watch this Saturday's fireworks over the Delaware river in Philadelphia from my boat. Does anyone know if the river will be closed at Penn's landing during the show? I don't want to get trapped upriver.
  5. DBreskin

    Fuel sending unit replacement

    I thought my boat had been getting poor mileage but I figured out my fuel gauge is inaccurate. When the gauge starts bouncing on E there's still 1/3 to 1/2 left in the tank. Today I removed the original equipment sending unit with the hope I could adjust/bend the float rod and get a more...
  6. DBreskin

    Cobra water leak - how to diagnose?

    I've had the boat in my signature for two seasons. I replaced the bellows in 2010. It used to run bone dry; not a drop of water in the bilge after a day out. This season I noticed a pint or two of water collecting in the bilge and wondered how it got in. Yesterday it got much worse; the bilge...
  7. DBreskin

    Do I have a problem if I mix lower unit lubricants?

    I changed the lubricant in my lower unit today; it's the third time I've done this but of course there's always something new to learn. I know to drain from the bottom but fill from the middle. I drained the old lube; it came out almost transparent, and the color was the same golden color as...
  8. DBreskin

    Row, row, row your boat...

    http://thereifixedit.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/white-trash-repairs-my-how-the-mississippi-has-changed.gif http://thereifixedit.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/white-trash-repairs-my-how-the-mississippi-has-changed.gif There are no words...
  9. DBreskin

    Freeze brakes to avoid trailer theft?

    I was thinking about ways to discourage boat thieves. I have both a hitch lock and coupler lock on my trailer, but I know a determined thief can get past those devices easily. Since my boat is winterized for a few months, I was thinking about removing the breakaway cable so the disc brakes...
  10. DBreskin

    What's the difference between different brands of propellers?

    I have a 1992 Four Winns Horizon 200 with 5.8L Cobra drive, originally rated at 240HP (215 prop HP). I'm running the 19P aluminum Michigan Wheel prop that came with the boat when I bought it in 2009. I don't have any complaints about the performance, but the prop is a little beat up and I'd...
  11. DBreskin

    Boating the Upper Chesapeake

    Happy new year to all upper Chesapeake boaters! I see the original "Boating the Upper Chesapeake" thread was locked. There was a good following for that thread and an active community of users. Does anyone know why it was locked? :confused:
  12. DBreskin

    Where to find nuts for mounting OMC upper housing to pivot housing?

    I'm trying to replace the six 7/16-20 nylon locking flange nuts that secure the upper housing of an OMC Cobra drive to the pivot housing. I believe they're stainless steel. I can't find replacements. Can anyone confirm the specification for these fasteners and possibly a source to buy them?
  13. DBreskin

    OMC Cobra trim tab adjustment?

    Can anyone tell me the proper way to adjust the trim tab on the lower unit of my Cobra outdrive? The manual says to position it at index mark 3 (midrange) if the proper position is not known. The manual also says different props may require different trim tab settings. How do you determine the...
  14. DBreskin

    I'm not as smart as I thought I was...

    I've been reading all the tips and stories here about all types of boating; launching, repairs, and everything else. I'm usually pretty careful and don't make the stupid mistakes. Today, my third time out, I made up for lost time. My wife, son and I get to the public ramp, which is empty except...
  15. DBreskin

    Just when you think you've seen it all...

    Maybe this is common and I just don't get around enough to see it. I launched my boat today at a fairly steep ramp. Was out about 30 minutes before giving up to the high wind and waves on the river. I come back to the ramp, and as I approach I see a jetskier buzzing around the ramp area and...
  16. DBreskin

    OMC Cobra transom shift cable removal

    Fixing one thing leads to another. I was finally able to remove my pivot housing to service the transom, only to find my transom shift cable has some small cracks in the sheathing near the pivot housing fitting. I guess that explains the wet slurry in the upper unit shift linkage cavity. I want...
  17. DBreskin

    OMC Cobra shift cable retaining nut in Pivot housing

    Thanks to all the advice I've received here on iBoats, I'm much more confident about doing my own mechanical work. That's a good thing, since I own a Cobra.:rolleyes: I've performing a transom service and reconditioning my drive. The pivot housing is off except for the shift cable. The hollow...
  18. DBreskin

    OMC Cobra drive seized, now what?

    First the details: 1992 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L OMC Cobra I took my new-to-me boat out for the first time on April 2. I had checked everything I could think of and performed lots of preventative maintenance including having the drive lube changed. Even so, I got stuck out on the water; the...
  19. DBreskin

    I broke the bolt for my anode; now what do I do??

    I am preparing for my first season with my new-to-me boat. It has a 1992 OMC Cobra 5.8L drive. The anodes are old, pitted, and the PO had the bright idea to paint them so they're not doing much in the way of protection. I tried to remove the bolt for the anode in the lower section of the drive...
  20. DBreskin

    Bimini top support pole question

    While I anxiously await the spring thaw and the first launch of my new-to-me boat, think of all the changes and additions I want to make to it. One of the things I want to do is add a bimini top. There are several places to get biminis including here on iBoats. All the internet sites (including...
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