OMC shift linkage/throttle agjustment....

[Manipulator]

I need to adjust my shift linkage (I think). My shifter goes 90 degrees but it does not start to move the throttle on the carb until about 45 degrees. Maybe this is normal but it feels weird to me. I have an OMC 1983 with 5.7 Chevy. <br /><br />Another thing, I hear people talk about "Stringer" all the time. Is that another word for OMC or something? Or is that one of the drives they put out like the 400 series, 800 series, cobra, etc?

 

[notinbig]

Re: OMC shift linkage/throttle agjustment....

If you don't have a cobra in 1983 you probley have a stringer.

 

[Manipulator]

Re: OMC shift linkage/throttle agjustment....

Stringer? What is that? My drive says OMC on it not Stringer. Is that a OMC model like a Cobra?

 

[QC]

Re: OMC shift linkage/throttle agjustment....

Stringer is slang for the type of OMC that mounts only to the boat's stringers (usually wood runners that the engine mounts to). This is opposed to a typical Mercruiser or Volvo that mount the engine to the stringers and the outdrive to the transom. Your outdrive goes "through" the transom, but doesn't really touch it other than the big black rubber thingee.<br /><br />If it shifts right, I wouldn't touch it. There is supposed to be some slop after it engages and before it picks up RPM. This allows you to move shifter agressivley into gear so that you move past the "clicking" "clacking" sound that is just before it engages. You want to avoid the noisey area.

 

[Manipulator]

Re: OMC shift linkage/throttle agjustment....

Quietcat, cool! Now that made some sense. Yep mine goes "through". I never really thought about it. As far as the throttle goes, I hear ya, I'm not going to mess with it. I would probably really screw it. I thought the throttle wasn't opening all the way but it is. <br /><br />By the way, what do you know about OMC? What happened to them? Could they not compete with merc? What do you think of the Cobra drives? Everyone I have talked to always said "OMC?, Oh you don't want one of those". From what I understand they are prone to failure. Is that true? I haven't had any trouble with mine (as far as the lower unit).

 

[QC]

Re: OMC shift linkage/throttle agjustment....

The history as I know it is:<br /><br />OMC was Outboard Marine Company. They were the parent of Evinrude and Johnson. In '84 or so they made the Cobra drive to replace the "Stringer" and catch up with Volvo and Mercruiser. Volvo bought the Cobra or OMC and the Cobra is now most of the current Volvo design (not sure I have this right). OMC is gone.<br /><br />I had a stringer in my first boat; an '84. Ran the #$%^ out of it. Sold it to my brother-in- law 10 years ago and it still runs. Only a 140 so it didn't push the drive that much. We both have installed a couple of tilt motors which was the weekest link for me. A lot of other guys have complained about those tilt motors too.<br /><br />There are some good things though. They tilt up really fast if you get into some shallow before you realize. That saved me quite a few times when I was first learning. Also, if the tilt motor does go you can still run by removing the gear quadrant on the back and manually placing it in the up or down position. Let's you finish the weekend!! There are a couple of Stringer lovers on the board, but there are plenty of haters too . . .

 

[Manipulator]

Re: OMC shift linkage/throttle agjustment....

Interesting. I wondered about the tilt issue. Mine freezes sometimes but it I tap the switch it then engages. Also, sometimes someone needs to push on the lower unit to get it started.<br /><br />So if you do drop it down manually, how do you keep it there? Reinstall the gear? Or is there a locking mechanism when it gets down all the way?

 

[lakelivin]

Re: OMC shift linkage/throttle agjustment....

Originally posted by Manipulator:<br /> ...By the way, what do you know about OMC? What happened to them? Could they not compete with merc? What do you think of the Cobra drives? Everyone I have talked to always said "OMC?, Oh you don't want one of those". From what I understand they are prone to failure. Is that true? I haven't had any trouble with mine (as far as the lower unit).

Stuart Hastings has a good summary of the OMC/ Cobra history and issues. Check out:<br /><br /> http://www.funkopolis.com:8080/~stuart/cobra/ <br /><br />b.t.w., he states that the first Cobra shipped in 1985. Are you sure you don't have a stringer? Don S. posted a picture of a stringer and a cobra in a recent post in this category (the post was updated today, so you should be able to find it pretty easily). Take a look at that & see which you really have.

 

[Manipulator]

Re: OMC shift linkage/throttle agjustment....

I have a "stringer". Quietcat explained it pretty good. Mine is not attached to the transom. Also I noticed the Cobras look more like Merc's with the dual hydraulic tubes on each side. I have the gear that tilts mine.

 

[QC]

Re: OMC shift linkage/throttle agjustment....

Yes, you keep the drive down by reinstalling the gear. Remove gear quadrant, put drive where you want it, reinstall gear. Procedure works either direction.

 

[pvisser]

Re: OMC shift linkage/throttle agjustment....

Another plus for the OMC is their turning radius can't be beat. <br /><br />As far as history is concerned. I was led to believe that OMC was way ahead of themselves when they built these drives, to the point that more technical, and then they started to have mechanical problems, thereby giving them a bad name, and finaly were bought out. Most mechanics in my area love them for their ability to take punishment. <br /><br />Just rember do not use your tilt as a trim! That is probably OMC's biggest pain.