OMC Cobra outdrive alignment

[DBreskin]

This is my first boat so please bear with me.

I have a new-to-me 1992 Four Winns Horizon 200 with a 5.8L motor and OMC Cobra (not King Cobra) outdrive. I want to service the outdrive over the winter, and possibly refinish the outside due to corrosion. Pictures of the corrosion are attached. Is this corrosion severe and how difficult is it to correct?

I've read the outdrive remove-and-replace section of the OMC manual where it shows the process of aligning the transom plate to the motor using the OMC alignment tool. Assuming the currently assembled alignment is correct, do I need to perform a realignment if I remove and replace the outdrive without removing the motor?

If I've removed the outdrive already what other preventative maintenance is suggested?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[ErieRon]

Re: OMC Cobra outdrive alignment

This is my first boat so please bear with me.

I have a new-to-me 1992 Four Winns Horizon 200 with a 5.8L motor and OMC Cobra (not King Cobra) outdrive. I want to service the outdrive over the winter, and possibly refinish the outside due to corrosion. Pictures of the corrosion are attached. Is this corrosion severe and how difficult is it to correct?

I've read the outdrive remove-and-replace section of the OMC manual where it shows the process of aligning the transom plate to the motor using the OMC alignment tool. Assuming the currently assembled alignment is correct, do I need to perform a realignment if I remove and replace the outdrive without removing the motor?

If I've removed the outdrive already what other preventative maintenance is suggested?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

I'm not an OMC guy, but that corrosion is moderate at best. Nothing to worry about, and can be successfully repainted if done properly.

Anytime the drive is removed, alignment should be checked.

Others will chime in, but drive maintenance usually includes lube change, pressure test, water impeller (if applicable), and overall inspection.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: OMC Cobra outdrive alignment

Alignment should be checked as boats tend to "settle" with use. That said, if it truly is in alignment now,yes you can r&r drive without checking it, but since its new to you, you have no way of knowing if it is or not. 'nutcase

 

[dubs283]

Re: OMC Cobra outdrive alignment

check the alignment, if the bar slides in easily, the alignment is okay

grease u-joints, gimbal bearing and coupler. inspect coupler, if the splines are "pointy" its time for a new one

drain gear lube, pressure test and fill with fresh lube

 

[Lou C]

Re: OMC Cobra outdrive alignment

I agree with the above posters...I remove the drive each fall to check alignment with the tool...check the bellows for water...check and grease the ujoints and gimble bearing...you will find getting it off easy but getting it on a bit of a challenge...I built a stand to make it easy...BTW I have almost the same boat....'88 H-200

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: OMC Cobra outdrive alignment

Time to replace the impeller and fill the drive with fresh gear oil along with the other stuff mentioned.
The best advice is to get an OEM Cobra manual.If the drive is not filled exactly the correct way you will destroy the gears.
Hopefully this is the manual you have...

This book is worth every dime!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1992...20489952583QQptZMotorsQ5fManualsQ5fLiterature

 

[Lou C]

Re: OMC Cobra outdrive alignment

Yes definitely get the factory shop manual...that was one of the first things I got for this boat...but until you can get one...you can find factory instructions and pix for removing and replacing the drive and for draining and refilling the drive oil properly here:
www.crowleymarine.com
look in product support.....OMC Cobra drives...then print it all out....
You need the right manual for anything else such as impeller replacement (actually very easy on a Cobra) and shift linkage adjustments....
When you do remove the drive...check the area around the bellcrank...it tends to get packed with deopsits...and that can restrict the movement of the bellcrank which can cause shifting problems...being a 92...yours should have a grease fitting there that was added to later models...I clean mine out and grease it up good with OMC triple guard grease...

I took one of your pix and marked it up a bit to show you where the pivot water drain screws are (2 on the starboard side....one is visible the other you need to tilt it up to see) and one on the port side that you can see without tilting it....the 2 grease fittings...one is the gimble bearing one....the other is the one for the bellcrank added to the later models...
Plus I added a couple more pix to show the fill and drain plugs for the drive oil and it also shows the pivot water drains...you do need to remove them when winterizing to let the water drain out because it can crack the pivot housing if water is trapped in there...and the drive oil change procedure...must be followed exactly...you have to get at least 64 ounces of gear oil in there...or else...

 

[DBreskin]

Re: OMC Cobra outdrive alignment

pivot water drains...you do need to remove them when winterizing to let the water drain out because it can crack the pivot housing if water is trapped in there...

Shortly after I bought the boat I had a mechanic winterize it for me (since I wasn't sure about doing it myself) and he ran antifreeze through the drive and motor. I expect this means I do not need to drain the pivot housing; please let me know if I'm mistaken.

Thanks for all the advice. I plan to start building an outdrive stand today so I'll have somewhere to store the unit after I pull it.

 

[Lou C]

Re: OMC Cobra outdrive alignment

I wouldn't assume that....and if that engine is raw water cooled...(does it have a heat exhanger on the front of the engine? if not raw water cooled)...he did not do it the best way and is risking a cracked block...if he did not drain the block before running the AF through...I'd get in there....open an engine drain....drain some of what's in the block into a paper cup and leave it in the freezer...if it stays liquid OK if not then drain the engine from the drain plugs and poke em to make sure it drains....you should already have AF in your manifolds and raw water intake hose...I'd tilt the drive up....remove all 3 of those plugs....poke the holes with a small screwdriver....tilt it down and see if water comes out...then tilt up and replace the plugs...

BTW that is not the best way to winterize a raw water cooled inboard....it's a quick way but not good because the engine thermostat may not open and then you have a weak mix of AF in the block which could freeze and then it's new engine time....

the RIGHT way do it....is to manually drain everything as per the manual....then if you want to use AF...back fill through the hoses....I've done it this way for years.....
Keep in mind....NO sterndrive manufacturer ever recommended the suck AF up the drive method....for a raw water cooled engine....Yes it works fine for a CLOSED COOLED inboard...ONLY.....

 

[cr2k]

Re: OMC Cobra outdrive alignment

You may also encounter some resistance to installing the drive. The CV joint is slightly larger than the drive seal. grease up the drive seal and use a large (long) screwdriver in the u-joints to twist them back and forth working them through the seal.

 

[winner228]

Re: OMC Cobra outdrive alignment

Yes definitely get the factory shop manual...that was one of the first things I got for this boat...but until you can get one...you can find factory instructions and pix for removing and replacing the drive and for draining and refilling the drive oil properly here:
www.crowleymarine.com
look in product support.....OMC Cobra drives...then print it all out....
You need the right manual for anything else such as impeller replacement (actually very easy on a Cobra) and shift linkage adjustments....
When you do remove the drive...check the area around the bellcrank...it tends to get packed with deopsits...and that can restrict the movement of the bellcrank which can cause shifting problems...being a 92...yours should have a grease fitting there that was added to later models...I clean mine out and grease it up good with OMC triple guard grease...

I took one of your pix and marked it up a bit to show you where the pivot water drain screws are (2 on the starboard side....one is visible the other you need to tilt it up to see) and one on the port side that you can see without tilting it....the 2 grease fittings...one is the gimble bearing one....the other is the one for the bellcrank added to the later models...
Plus I added a couple more pix to show the fill and drain plugs for the drive oil and it also shows the pivot water drains...you do need to remove them when winterizing to let the water drain out because it can crack the pivot housing if water is trapped in there...and the drive oil change procedure...must be followed exactly...you have to get at least 64 ounces of gear oil in there...or else...

what happins if you remove the the screw that you say do not remove on yhe drive

 

[Spinnaker]

Re: OMC Cobra outdrive alignment

what happins if you remove the the screw that you say do not remove on yhe drive

There is a small rectangular nut on the inside. When new it is glued to the inside housing but they never stick so if you remove the screw the metal nut will fall inside the water jacket. That is why there used to be a Cobra badge covering this screw.