1987 2.3l hard shift

[damian1955]

Can I remove the shift assist module if I keep the RPM's at 600 ?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: 1987 2.3l hard shift

Can I remove the shift assist module if I keep the RPM's at 600 ?

Howdy,

Welcome aboard!

Um, no, not really. The Shift Assist System causes the engine to "stumble" by pulsing the ignition. This allows a similar torque "pulsing" that allows you to get the drive out of either REV or FWD gear.

Getting a Cobra out of gear requires either cable tension or pressure that can be excessive if the ESA system is NOT used.

Excessive out of gear force will eventually damage the lower shift cable.


Regards,


Rick

 

[damian1955]

Re: 1987 2.3l hard shift

Howdy,

Welcome aboard!

Um, no, not really. The Shift Assist System causes the engine to "stumble" by pulsing the ignition. This allows a similar torque "pulsing" that allows you to get the drive out of either REV or FWD gear.

Getting a Cobra out of gear requires either cable tension or pressure that can be excessive if the ESA system is NOT used.

Excessive out of gear force will eventually damage the lower shift cable.


Regards,


Rick

Thanks alot !!!

 

[damian1955]

Re: 1987 2.3l hard shift

Hi Rick,
Thanks alot for the quick reply.
Damian

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: 1987 2.3l hard shift

If it's shifting hard??
Possible: the flapper in the exhaust has melted and fell into the shift mech.
The shift cable needs replacing.
The bellcrank has corrosion around the pivot points.
Unhooking the ESA is dangerous.
A friend with a 28ft with the King Cobra.
He unhooked it and ended up docking his boat ON the community pier in Annapolis,Md.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: 1987 2.3l hard shift

If it's shifting hard??
Possible: the flapper in the exhaust has melted and fell into the shift mech.
The shift cable needs replacing.
The bellcrank has corrosion around the pivot points.
Unhooking the ESA is dangerous.
A friend with a 28ft with the King Cobra.
He unhooked it and ended up docking his boat ON the community pier in Annapolis,Md.

Yeah. There's a whole host of reasons you should ensure that the ESA system is working properly. The cable, linkage and switches when adjusted maintained right, do work well.


Now, you need to determine why it's not working and fix it.

You should start by getting your hands on a correct year OEM OMC service manual for your model Cobra.....and maybe having a look at the following info.

OMC Cobra Sterndrive Tech Info

 

[Lou C]

Re: 1987 2.3l hard shift

Right, agree with all said above, a properly adjusted Cobra with a good shift cable and correct idle speed will shift in and out with 2 fingers. I learned how to set mine up with 3 special OMC tools and it is like a new boat. Shift cable is over 10 years old too. There is no reason for these units to not shift well if you have a good cable and make the adjustments correctly. This includes the shift rod height (have to start there, if that's wrong it will never be right), bellcrank holder must hold bellcrank at 90 degrees so you can set the cable up on the engine bracket. Then you have to set the remote cable too, it also must be set right or it will shift OK into one gear but grind in the other.