Cobra outdrive Installation HELP!!!

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motox6

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 4, 2004
Messages
85
Heres the deal, Indexed the spline on my 1993 cobra 800. Now I have about 1 inch to go before it is back on the housing. Now I cannot get it to go any farther. Any suggestions please.... THANKS
 
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notinbig

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 26, 2003
Messages
384
Re: Cobra outdrive Installation HELP!!!

I had the exact same problem and was told they are very touchy going back in. I ended up paying to have it done, but if you have a creeper Ive heard of using a buddy to move motor and boat up and down till the exact match up. good luck :mad:
 
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motox6

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 4, 2004
Messages
85
Re: Cobra outdrive Installation HELP!!!

What did the repair shop get from you?
 
D

DHPMARINE

Captain
Joined
Dec 16, 2003
Messages
3,688
Re: Cobra outdrive Installation HELP!!!

Off hand I don't recall when the Cobra became a Volvo,but if it is a true cobra,like 1986 on,and you have the drive engaged to the splines,disconnect the ignition coil and crank the engine while pushing in on the drive.<br />Saves many back aches.<br />DHP
 
Lou C

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
13,063
Re: Cobra outdrive Installation HELP!!!

I recall reading that the original bellows for the ujoints were made just big enough for them to pass and they came up with an updated one just a little bigger that makes it easier to get the joints in past the bellows.
 
A

arboatdr

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 22, 2004
Messages
144
Re: Cobra outdrive Installation HELP!!!

Once you get the u-joints past the bellows it should slide right in easily. If not you need to make sure you have your gimnble brg and coupler aligned properly. Sometimes new o-rings on the input shaft will have a hard time passing thru the gimble brg. Use a little dishsoap to slick them up. That also works extremely well in getting the u-joints past the bellows. Some one suggested cranking the engine over while pushing in on the drive. I've never tried that, be sure to remove the prop as well if you do.
 
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pra51

Seaman
Joined
Apr 17, 2003
Messages
72
Re: Cobra outdrive Installation HELP!!!

I just put my Cobra drive back on 2 days ago.I greased up the inside of bellows,put grease on the splines,coated the yokes in a light coating of grease,the o rings I sprayed with silicone spray lub so they would slip into gimbel bearing,if there is grease on the o rings it won't slide on well.Did you make sure your bell crank was at a 90 degree angle to face of transom plate,while in nuetral? Also did you make sure the shift arm on drive was in nuetral so the bell crank will slide into it?The next thing I did was put a floor jack under trailer axle so I could raise and lower the stern of boat to line up drive.Then mine just flew in.
 
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notinbig

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 26, 2003
Messages
384
Re: Cobra outdrive Installation HELP!!!

3/4 hour of labor at a rate of 85 an hour.<br /><br />DONE AND BACK ON THE WATER NEXT WEEKEND! :cool:
 
M

motox6

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 4, 2004
Messages
85
Re: Cobra outdrive Installation HELP!!!

I am going to try one thing at a time and let you know. The mechanic here said since this out drive was just as hard to get off as on. He seems to think the alignment between the engine and OD are off a little. He says older IO's tend to have engine mounts that sag a little with age. i think he just wants my money!!! Thanks I will let you all know what happens....
 
R

rodbolt

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 1, 2003
Messages
20,066
Re: Cobra outdrive Installation HELP!!!

hello<br /> I thiunk you should check engine alignment. if its off the drive will be difficult to remove and reinstall. it will also destroy the coupler. but at least when you replace the coupler you can check engine alignment. the coupler is close to 300 dollars on the counter now. the mounts are rubber. mounts sag,stringers sag transoms get weak. that is why the manual says do it onece per year. regardless of hours.<br /> good luck and keep posting<br /> PS use spline grease on the splines not regular grease
 
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RC

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 13, 2003
Messages
237
Re: Cobra outdrive Installation HELP!!!

Motox, have an 86 Cobra and had the same problem last year. I took it to a local mechanic and in about 5 minutes he had it on. (didn't charge me a thing). When he got it part way in he took a large screwdriver and put it between the ujoints, moved them around back and forth a few times and it slid right in.
 
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notinbig

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 26, 2003
Messages
384
Re: Cobra outdrive Installation HELP!!!

Wish we had techs like that around here. This is money area! they'll charge ya just for chatin. :mad:
 
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