OMC Cobra 4.3 Transom Shift Cable inspection quesiton+

[Silk]

Is there anyway to visually tell if the OMC Cobra shift cable has been replaced?

My understanding is they need to be red, can a person visually inspect the engine and see if this has been done or does it need to be checked by a mechanic?

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: OMC Cobra 4.3 Transom Shift Cable inspection quesiton+

If it has been.. Its red.. Trim the outdrive up all the way.. Look under there on the starboard side.. It is hard to miss...

You having shifting problems?

 

[Silk]

Re: OMC Cobra 4.3 Transom Shift Cable inspection quesiton+

If it has been.. Its red.. Trim the outdrive up all the way.. Look under there on the starboard side.. It is hard to miss...

You having shifting problems?

No thankfully not. I am looking at buying boat with this engine and was doing some research and learned reported gear problems were a result of a faulty transom shift cable

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: OMC Cobra 4.3 Transom Shift Cable inspection quesiton+

yeah well it can a new style shift cable and still have shift problems due to the fact said cable was installed wrong.. It is a PITA to get it set correct.. If it doesn't shift smooth.. Walkaway..

If you are going to step into the COBRA world I hope you are prepaired to repair most of your problems yourself.. No one will hardly touch em..

The boat better be cheap...

Tell us about it!!!!

 

[Silk]

Re: OMC Cobra 4.3 Transom Shift Cable inspection quesiton+



Well it is a 1992 Forester 166sport Open Bow, with a 4.3 OMC Cobra. The engine looks very clean and the people have owned it for about 5 years, and they are the second owners, but after the baby was born only took it out a few times last summer and have decided to sell.

It is in very good to pristine condition physically, the engine is very clean and serviced regularly (winter/spring), looks brand new.

I spoke with my local marine shop and they do service the OMC and didn't find it any more troublesome than other engines, if the shift cable was in properly. Are they playing me for a fool, knowing if I buy the boat they have an automatic customer??

Now I'm very worried.

$3200 is the price tag

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: OMC Cobra 4.3 Transom Shift Cable inspection quesiton+

I don't think they make Forester boats anymore(someone on here will know for sure).. So you have unsupported boat unsupported outdrive..The engine is a GM block..
Man $3200 seems high IDK

Have ya got to take it for a ride?

 

[Silk]

Re: OMC Cobra 4.3 Transom Shift Cable inspection quesiton+

Forester was made in MN, they are no longer in business, but they are a still common up here. I'm taking the boat out on the lake tomorrow. I've got pictures, should I post?

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: OMC Cobra 4.3 Transom Shift Cable inspection quesiton+

of course... We all love pictures

 

[Silk]

Re: OMC Cobra 4.3 Transom Shift Cable inspection quesiton+

Pictures comin right up

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: OMC Cobra 4.3 Transom Shift Cable inspection quesiton+

Wow it's a good looking barge..

Can't get those manifolds anymore... There are aftermarket replacements...

It has a roller trailer.. Some people love em.. Some don't..

You are right looks clean a whistle..

If everything runs smooth, I don't really see it to be bad..

Hard to find a boat with a V6 newer than a 90 for 3k..

 

[bruceb58]

Re: OMC Cobra 4.3 Transom Shift Cable inspection quesiton+

If it has been.. Its red

1992 was way after all the recalls occurred for the original shift cable.

That being said, the shift cable could easily need to be replaced if the cable housing has failed. Basically, if the boat doesn't shift easily into and out of gear, you need to replace the cable. If you tilt up the drive and look at the cable housing as it enters the drive, you can see what the codition of the cable housing is there. That is where they fail.

 

[Silk]

Re: OMC Cobra 4.3 Transom Shift Cable inspection quesiton+

Well I posted a bit of this in the other section of the forum but I will consentrate more on the engine here.

Shifting was extremely smooth, all gears forward and reverse. I wasn't quite expecting the power and it did make me a tad bit nervous. I wanted to open it up full throttle, but at 45 mph, that was about as fast as I felt comfortable and I had it almost there, the engine was purring and didn't sound at all stressed.

I tried all gears several times. The mechanic said the engine was in excellent shape and I was able to call the mechanics where it was serviced most of its existance and they said the owners were real fastidious. Cable housing looked great as did major points.

Soooooo we bought it, and we are keeping our other old green Ghetto Boat, lol, our mechanic is really going ot love us now

 

[sethjon]

Re: OMC Cobra 4.3 Transom Shift Cable inspection quesiton+

Well it is a 1992 Forester 166sport Open Bow, with a 4.3 OMC Cobra. The engine looks very clean and the people have owned it for about 5 years, and they are the second owners, but after the baby was born only took it out a few times last summer and have decided to sell.

It is in very good to pristine condition physically, the engine is very clean and serviced regularly (winter/spring), looks brand new.

I spoke with my local marine shop and they do service the OMC and didn't find it any more troublesome than other engines, if the shift cable was in properly. Are they playing me for a fool, knowing if I buy the boat they have an automatic customer??

Now I'm very worried.

$3200 is the price tag

The Cobra is fine if it is maintained like anything else. A cable can break on any boat. Buy the boat and enjoy it.