New boat to me,omc cobra shifts hard!!

[chucky112233]

Good morning all! Thank you ahead of time,have not been back to this site due to lack of boating:grumpy:But I now have a newer craft,so far happy with it overall!! Its a 1989 four wins 285 vista but looks more like a 315 vista way its laid out.. Anyways,its my first twin set up twin 351 with cobra outdrives..Runs good,but starboard engine seems to shift hard compared to port..starboard from neutral to reverse to drive or back works beautiful,both shifted fine out of water. Marine tech on shore checked it,gave it good to go! But in water starboard side engine is tough to shift out of neutral or back in.. Idle is low,same as port.. I am thinking possible cable adjustment or possible switch issue? This is my first twin and first non mercruiser setup.. So far love the boat.. Any good or poor comments on four Winns or that engine,outdrive combo?
Thanks to all replys in advance!!!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: New boat to me,omc cobra shifts hard!!

Good morning all! Thank you ahead of time,have not been back to this site due to lack of boating:grumpy:But I now have a newer craft,so far happy with it overall!! Its a 1989 four wins 285 vista but looks more like a 315 vista way its laid out.. Anyways,its my first twin set up twin 351 with cobra outdrives..Runs good,but starboard engine seems to shift hard compared to port..starboard from neutral to reverse to drive or back works beautiful,both shifted fine out of water. Marine tech on shore checked it,gave it good to go! But in water starboard side engine is tough to shift out of neutral or back in.. Idle is low,same as port.. I am thinking possible cable adjustment or possible switch issue? This is my first twin and first non mercruiser setup.. So far love the boat.. Any good or poor comments on four Winns or that engine,outdrive combo?
Thanks to all replys in advance!!!!

Ayuh,.... Both Ford, 'n OMC have been Outa the Marine motor biz for Well over a Decade, 'n parts are gettin' harder to find, as well as much more expensive,...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: New boat to me,omc cobra shifts hard!!

Sounds like your lower shift cable needs to be replaced.

There is an ESA that helps you shift out of gear but since you are having problems shifting into gear, it is not likely an issue.

 

[Lou C]

Re: New boat to me,omc cobra shifts hard!!

When you tilt up the drive on that side look under the drive on the stbd side where you see the exhaust bellows, you will see the shift cable (should be red) next to that, if the sheath covering it is cracked water could be getting in corroding the cable and making it sticky. With the drive off, and the cable disconnected on both ends, the drag with a fish scale should not be more than 2 lbs in either direction full travel. This will tell you if you need a new cable.

Also you might check the idle with a mechanic's tach, the dash ones are not that accurate, mine was off by about 200 rpms. It should be 500-600 in gear in the water.

 

[chucky112233]

Re: New boat to me,omc cobra shifts hard!!

Good morning all again!! Just to touch base with all of you... I went back to boat and went for a cruise.. It is not hard to get into gear,just out of.. And just the first two or three times!! Leaving dock tough to get back to neutral.. After long cruise,shifts beautiful.. Just seems first thing out of dock,after sitting its tough first couple of times,weird...

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: New boat to me,omc cobra shifts hard!!

not so weird if you read bruce's post above.

 

[Reinell-BRXL-191]

Re: New boat to me,omc cobra shifts hard!!

The lower shift cable is full of water and corrosion, as well as the bellcrank area... if you continue to run it like that believing it is fine after a few times of shifting it, you are going to find yourself stuck in the middle of a lake with fried gears in the drive... it is a common issue with the cobra... and you can fix it for less than 200 dollars... once the gears or dog clutch is smoked... then you are going to need a lot deeper pocket...

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: New boat to me,omc cobra shifts hard!!

Drop the drive,the shift lever on the bell housing(bellcank) remove it and clean the area.Grease it and put it back together.
Then check the shift rod on the drive.Should move easily as you turn the prop.
Then like the others suggest the shift assist and shift cable might need replacing?