89 Marlin, OMC Cobra 350, drive/rev won't engage anymore.

[feedlebum]

Hi all. Thanks in advance for any and all inputs.. your help will be most appreciated.

What I have in an 89 marlin 21' w/ a OMC 350 Cobra. Last outing we were cruising along about 30 mph, decided to go faster and 10 seconds in to wide open we stopped moving.. by that I mean it was if I let off the gas all of a sudden, but I didn't. Let off the gas and stopped. Tried to engage drive, heard the quick grind/click, and gave it some gas.. the prop didn't turn, and heard kind of a high pitch whine. Same for reverse.

Out of the water, not running, when I engage the drive the prop used to lock to where it would not turn with ease. Now you can freely spin it and hear/feel a bumpy resistance. When we started it in the driveway, you can clearly hear the drive engaging, and the prop starts to turn, but only barely. I could have probably grabbed it and stopped it..

Some people insist its a cable issue, but I'm not so sure. For the last few outings, I noticed that when engaging drive, if I don't give it some gas and try to stay at idle speed and just put-put along, I would hear a faint grind sound, and it would slip in and out of gear. I would have to push the throttle down a touch more and move along a skosh faster than idle.

I know the thing also probably has other issues with either the carb, or maybe fuel filter. Stabbing the gas from a stop or crawl always results in sputtering and stuff.. have to get going smoothly at a slower rate.

So anyway, thats what I'm looking at right now. I feel it's likely I have something bag going on, but wanted to see what you all might think.
Thanks again for any input!

CB

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: 89 Marlin, OMC Cobra 350, drive/rev won't engage anymore.

Howdy,


If it appears to actually go into and out of gear, (you can shift on the trailer [ENGINE-OFF, KEY REMOVED] by having someone turn the prop slowly while you move the shifter into and out of FWD or REV.)


Have them turn the prop CCW when going into FWD and CW while going into REV. When it goes into gear, they should not be able to continue turning the prop when the "dogs" lock. (When you turn the prop in the "right" direction with the gear, it should "click" or ratchet.......)

It sounds a LOT like a failed coupler. (that's what mine sounded like when it happened)


You can actually see back there behind the engine. Look for what looks like metal powder or black rubber powder. (it sounds more like the metal though)

You may also see metal powder on the actual shaft going from the back of the engine to the transom mount (inner plate)


If it IS a failed coupler, you WILL be removing the drive and engine (in that order)


Since you're able to turn the prop with the drive in gear, have someone turn the prop [ENG-OFF, KEY in your pocket] CCW (backwards) while it's in FWD and see if the drive-shaft (behind the engine) turns. That will further verify the failed coupler if it does turn.


Regards,


Rick