Lou C
Supreme Mariner
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2002
- Messages
- 13,322
Re: OMC Cobra Drive Problem
I'd do some more checking before I dumped the OMC. For one thing, with the drive off, the bellcrank on the right side of the pivot housing can get deposits built up behind it and that can cause it not to shift right. The transom shift cable has to have free movement and you need to use the 2 tools sold by either OMC (can get them from Crowley Marine) or Midnight Wolf on the forum. Midnight Wolf also has the needed parts of the shop manual on his website to set the cables up right. Make sure you are looking at the right ones for your model. Some have the slot for the remote cable on the bottom of the engine shift lever, some like mine have that slot at the top. There is also an OMC service bulletin that nicely summarizes the 5 steps needed to adjust it.
First you have to make sure the bellcrank moves free and easy and the cable does not have excessive drag (like not more than 2 lbs measured with a fish scale foward n reverse full travel). Then you have to use the special tool to hold the bellcrank at 90* and use the other tool to set the cable adjustment. Next you re-attach and tighten the cable retainer. That's for the transom cable, the cable from the remote control to the shift bracket/bellcrank on the engine bracket also has to be adjusted. Both have to be in proper adjustment for it to shift right. And also, the shift rod in the lower unit must be set right for height. That should be checked first actually. What all the adjusting is trying to accomplish, is to get the neutral position properly set with the cables and to get the same shift stroke in fwd and rev. That is what will ensure that both fwd and rev fully engage the clutch dog. If its jumping out of gear, its not engaging the clutch dog and it will wear it out in short order. You need proper throw both from the remote cable from the shift/throttle control and from the transom shift cable.
It all takes time the first time you do it. It is necessary to have a helper rotate the prop to check to see if the clutch dogs are completely engaging when you shift to fwd and rev. You should not shift it unless someone is rotating the prop.
If the transom cable is stiff thats your problem right there. That has to have very light drag.
You also want the engine idle as low as you can get it without stalling.
I'd do some more checking before I dumped the OMC. For one thing, with the drive off, the bellcrank on the right side of the pivot housing can get deposits built up behind it and that can cause it not to shift right. The transom shift cable has to have free movement and you need to use the 2 tools sold by either OMC (can get them from Crowley Marine) or Midnight Wolf on the forum. Midnight Wolf also has the needed parts of the shop manual on his website to set the cables up right. Make sure you are looking at the right ones for your model. Some have the slot for the remote cable on the bottom of the engine shift lever, some like mine have that slot at the top. There is also an OMC service bulletin that nicely summarizes the 5 steps needed to adjust it.
First you have to make sure the bellcrank moves free and easy and the cable does not have excessive drag (like not more than 2 lbs measured with a fish scale foward n reverse full travel). Then you have to use the special tool to hold the bellcrank at 90* and use the other tool to set the cable adjustment. Next you re-attach and tighten the cable retainer. That's for the transom cable, the cable from the remote control to the shift bracket/bellcrank on the engine bracket also has to be adjusted. Both have to be in proper adjustment for it to shift right. And also, the shift rod in the lower unit must be set right for height. That should be checked first actually. What all the adjusting is trying to accomplish, is to get the neutral position properly set with the cables and to get the same shift stroke in fwd and rev. That is what will ensure that both fwd and rev fully engage the clutch dog. If its jumping out of gear, its not engaging the clutch dog and it will wear it out in short order. You need proper throw both from the remote cable from the shift/throttle control and from the transom shift cable.
It all takes time the first time you do it. It is necessary to have a helper rotate the prop to check to see if the clutch dogs are completely engaging when you shift to fwd and rev. You should not shift it unless someone is rotating the prop.
If the transom cable is stiff thats your problem right there. That has to have very light drag.
You also want the engine idle as low as you can get it without stalling.
