Boat will not shift into gear

[Boathead004]

Hello I am new to this forum, so go easy on me.
I have a 1980 200HP OMC cobra, and I am having shifting problems. So my problem is, my prop will engage in both forward and reverse but it turns very slowly. When it does engage it doesn't give me any kind of thrust, like it use to when it goes into gear. I manually try to put boat in gear by moving shift arm on the converter box but still nothing. Random thing, that is probably not good for my gears but i got prop fully engaged once I put boat in gear with tilt all the way up. My shift cable from my shifter to my converter box seem to be in good condition and operating correctly but its downstream of the converter box where the cable goes into a rubber sheath and down to my lower gear must be the problem. Need help diagnosing this problem as well as how to fix. Thanks

 

[southkogs]

Welcome aboard.

1980 should be a Stringer, right? I think you'd be a hydro-mechanical shift, but unfortunately I don't know much about 'em. Though I do know you want to go easy on the RPMs when you're tilted all the way up. That's tough on the ball gears.

 

[Boathead004]

Yes I believe its a stringer 800 series. Not sure the terminology of the shift but any advice and specs known about the boat would be much appreciated

 

[southkogs]

Is this a new-to-you (as in I've never had it working) boat, or a boat you've had for a while (as in, this just stopped working)? I think the things I would start with:

Double check the prop, and make sure your hub is okay. I don't think this is the problem, but maybe. Then I would inspect the drive shafts in the upper gear case. Good chance that one of those is toast.

Shift cable is a possibility, but I don't know much about your shift system.

 

[Boathead004]

I have had the boat for two years and it has run like a dream since then. First problem I have had with the boat

Hub is okay i have checked that

The reason i believe that it is shift cable because it got adjusted accidentally at beginning of season and I have adjusted it a few times and I have got the boat operable on numerous occasions. Now no adjustment will fully engage prop

 

[southkogs]

I don't know enough about the cable. Someone else will have to chime in on that. But I would check that shaft too ... they're known to wear down.

 

[THE BEEF]

When you try to but it in gear do you hear anything ? Is the engine over heating? the spline on the upper box drives the water pump. If temp is up it could be that shaft.