87 omc sterndrive clunk when shifting

[joeski3]

Hello everyone,
Very new at this but I am mechanically inclined so here goes. My first boat and I have never had it in the water yet. I just replaced the shift cable on my sterndrive. It's an '87 3.0 litre OMC. I purchased the measuring tools and did the job. The boat is out of the water and when I shift from F to R I hear a quick ratchet clunk sound right before she engages. Is this the normal sound I should hear? I have read other post but just want a better answer for my situation. I am shifting fairly quickly and not at high rpms either. She idles around 600rpms and there is no sticking or jumping in or out of gear. Everything seems to be adjusted properly....
Thanks in advance!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Hello everyone,
Very new at this but I am mechanically inclined so here goes. My first boat and I have never had it in the water yet. I just replaced the shift cable on my sterndrive. It's an '87 3.0 litre OMC. I purchased the measuring tools and did the job. The boat is out of the water and when I shift from F to R I hear a quick ratchet clunk sound right before she engages. Is this the normal sound I should hear? I have read other post but just want a better answer for my situation. I am shifting fairly quickly and not at high rpms either. She idles around 600rpms and there is no sticking or jumping in or out of gear. Everything seems to be adjusted properly....
Thanks in advance!

Howdy,

Welcome aboard!

If you have adjusted your lower shift cable correctly, there will be a "clunk" going into gear....and it will be a solid clunk.

If you shift too slowly, it will sound like a ratcheting sound......because the shift dogs will slide over each other a bit as they connect.

DO NOT DO THIS. I.E., Don't shift slowly. shift the drive rather "briskly" into FWD or REV and there should be no ratcheting.

If there's still is a "ratcheting" sound. It's possible that your shift cable is binding slightly or the shift dogs are worn somewhat.

Also, You will not know if your ESA is working properly until you shift out of gear while you are in the water. It cannot be tested shifting out of gear when the propeller is unloaded (out of the water)

If the ESA activates when you shift into gear, or it activates coming out of gear on the trailer(no load on the prop) , your lower shift cable may still be binding or the linkage is binding someplace.

Regards,


Rick

 

[jerryjerry05]

Follow Ricks advice, then something to check is the bellcrank.
Water and gunk get in and settle around the bushing on the end of the crank.
Remove and clean and apply a good marine grease.

 

[joeski3]

Thanks for the info! I will go thru it and see if I can't find any issues. One more noob question I have is at what rpm should shifting be done approx? I didn't look at the tach when I was testing the shift and I was afraid to get too high on the rpms.

 

[bruceb58]

According to the manual, 550-600 while in forward gear in the water.

 

[joeski3]

Thanks bruceb58. I did some reading on other posts and saw that the stern drive will shift better when in the water ( less noise) with the pressure on the prop etc. I am still going to give it a once over and if this nice weather holds out here in New England maybe get a buddy and go for a test run.

 

[Lou C]

Also remember the Cobra is a 2 cable system like the Merc Alpha. That means the cable from the remote control to the engine bell crank shift lever may also require adjustment. If it's not adjusted properly you may not get equal throw in each gear even if the transom shift cable is adjusted properly.

 

[joeski3]

Just wanted to update...the upper shift cable I was able to adjust a smidge more. It seems to shift much better now. Only a slight ratchet noise here and there, but for the most part I am getting more of a clunk and she drops right in gear. Looking forward to trying her out in the water. Thanks everyone for your help and advice!