1987 2.3 liter OMC Cobra Won't Start

[ezmobee]

Re: 1987 2.3 liter OMC Cobra Won't Start

I think that's a really sharp looking hull. Would be a shame to cut her up. Good candidate for a rebuild.

 

[DavidW2009]

Re: 1987 2.3 liter OMC Cobra Won't Start

I think that's a really sharp looking hull. Would be a shame to cut her up. Good candidate for a rebuild.

I know. The gelcoat is in better shape than my Bayliner. The more I look at this boat, the more I'm convinced it does not have a lot of hours on it.

The paint on the motor is still shiny and there is not one oil leak or drip anywhere. Not even a residue of oil.

I need to run it and check it thoroughly before making a commitment to refurbish. It's still winterised with anti-freeze in the engine.

 

[DavidW2009]

Re: 1987 2.3 liter OMC Cobra Won't Start

I installed the 'new' points and condensor into the '74 Mustang II distributor. When I removed the 'new' points and condensor from the box and knew I had been had. Both parts had greasy finger prints and some crud on them. The contacts had been used and run in something, then reboxed and sold to me.

I cleaned them up and installed them anyway. I've located three used Cobra distributors and will use the good NAPA parts I already bought for that. Not worth the time and gas to go back into town. (I will go back to the parts store and tell them in person what happened and also inform them the next $500 in parts I buy will be from one of their competitors, and not them.)

The points were set to .016" gap, by eye. I don't use feeler gauges on point contacts because it might leave an oily residue or dirt. Ignition points last longer when set by eye then checked with a dwell meter. (Ignition points would last a long time if there was a way to draw and hold a vacuum inside the distributor cap.)

I then connected a charged battery and a fuel line to a can of fresh gas. Poured a couple tablespoons down the carb, turned the ignition switch and it sputtered a bit but didn't start. Moved the throttle to fast idle neutral position (pull out, push forward a bit) and turned the key again.

It fired right up and ran smooth. I ran it (3) times, about 15 sec. each time. Starts good and runs smooth. Oil pressure was 60 psi.

After shutting it off the third time, I checked for water in the oil. None. This is good.

The no-start problem is solved. It was bad ignition points and fuel in the tank is probably no good since it's at least (4) years old.

But at least it runs.......

 

[DavidW2009]

Re: 1987 2.3 liter OMC Cobra Won't Start

No muffs, no water. But the block has antifreeze in it. I figure there was probably a residue in the impeller.

It's going to get a new impeller anyway. Impellers are EASY to change on this Cobra. At least it looks easy in the manual. LOL.

I don't know yet if I'm going to part this boat out or not. When we get out of this freezin' glo-bull warming (may freeze here next week), I'll hook up the water and run the engine until its warmed up.

 

[Don S]

Re: 1987 2.3 liter OMC Cobra Won't Start

If you have an automotive distributor, throw it away. Do NOT use it in a Marine application (aka a boat).
Not only is it not spark protected, but it has the wrong advance setup for a boat.

 

[DavidW2009]

Re: 1987 2.3 liter OMC Cobra Won't Start

(Oh no. I knew I was in trouble when I saw I had a post from Don S.)

I am. I have located some used Cobra Mallory distributors. I will use the auto distributor only on the trailer and only with the dog house off. Once I've satisfactorily determined the engine/outdrive are okay, then I'll buy a the proper marine distributor and install it.

(I do appreciate your concern, Don)

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 1987 2.3 liter OMC Cobra Won't Start

No muffs, no water. But the block has antifreeze in it. I figure there was probably a residue in the impeller.

You will do more than just burn out the impeller by running without water. You probably toasted any or all rubber components in the exhaust system including any shutters.

Your boat does not have closed cooling so any antifreeze in the block was put in there to prevent the block from freezing. Hopefully, you didn't damage too much.

How long did you run it for?

 

[DavidW2009]

Re: 1987 2.3 liter OMC Cobra Won't Start

bruce58,

If you see the post above, I ran it (3) times, for 15 sec each time. I checked the rubber parts and not even warm. I let it cool between runs. It only idled while running, no revving up.

I'm going to be replacing the impeller, and pull the drive to check the u-joints, etc..

Yes, what I did was risky. And not recommended.

When an I/O is first fired up after dewinterising, even with the muffs and water, there is probably going to be a few seconds of running before the water makes its way into the exhaust. I'm theorising. Correct me if that's not right.

 

[DavidW2009]

Re: 1987 2.3 liter OMC Cobra Won't Start

Connected the muffs yesterday and ran it for several minutes. It starts great. Almost instant.

I noticed it took over 30 seconds for the water to start circulating thru the engine and thru the bypass and into the exhaust. It definitely is pumping the water.

 

[ge000]

Re: 1987 2.3 liter OMC Cobra Won't Start

wow I think that I have found the post that may help me ,if anyone can give me the answer to my question that is as close to this post as I have found
I have an OMC 3.0 4 cylinder engine conected to a cobra outdrive that won't start.new plugs installed as were new plug wires,it has stabil gas,battery turns engine over fast ,it has spark,but will not fire.
has anyone any idea what the problem may be?(no kill switch)
oh! the boat is a 1989 Baretta Success 191 that never had a problem till now ,the boat was not used for one season,but ran super before garaged.
I may be one of the lucky owners of a good Baretta,as it always ran great.
any help with this engine problem would be super.

 

[Challenger84]

Re: 1987 2.3 liter OMC Cobra Won't Start

any updates? pictures?