probable outdrive clunk when in forward gear, 2.3 OMC cobra, 1989 four winns

Joined
Jun 28, 2011
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Hi all new to forum here. This "Clunk" happens at all speeds, happened just a few times and does not do this while in neutral and revving up the motor. I have since parked it to prevent any catastrophic failure. The last two boating seasons I have had oil and water mixing issues. The first year I had to have the upper unit swapped out due to a seized bearing from low oil, found out later that this unit too was leaking water inside. Last year I replaced as many seals, grommets, gaskets, etc... as I could with the outdrive off of the boat and the 2 halves split. The u joints were replaced also and greased.
I won't be back to look at it again until sunday, but before I left, i checked the oil. It was still clear, not milky. while in the water, and the boat not running, I placed it in drive and tried spinning the prop to feel if it had any play and it felt fine. I wish I would have brought the manual back home to read up on it. I plan on changing the outdrive oil again, r&r spark plugs and wires. I have another gasket set and was planning on removing the drive and greasing the u joints and looking at the gimball bearing. Thanks in advance. Hope this wasn't too long winded
 

bruceb58

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Mar 5, 2006
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30,610
Re: probable outdrive clunk when in forward gear, 2.3 OMC cobra, 1989 four winns

Your lower shift cable is either out of adjustment or has failed. The clunk you are hearing ar the clutch dogs disengaging and then engaging again. There is a good chance that those clutch dogs have now failed unfortuantely.
 
Joined
Jun 28, 2011
Messages
9
Re: probable outdrive clunk when in forward gear, 2.3 OMC cobra, 1989 four winns

after reading that article from stuart, that was the first thing I thought. I do have a hard shift for both forward and reverse and thought that this was normal. I have never touched the shift linkage in the 8 years I've owned the boat. Any chance it can be adjusted and relieved? This clunk happened more than 5 times but less than 10 this weekend, and it never happened before. I am going to drain and fill the drive sunday and look for metal shavings. but if there are none, how do I know the clutch dogs are bad?
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,610
Re: probable outdrive clunk when in forward gear, 2.3 OMC cobra, 1989 four winns

You can adjust/replace that cable and try it. When I bought my Cobra back in 1990, I had the same problem and the dogs were toast. Back then they were fixed under warranty. They didn't know they were bad until they disassembled the drive.
 
Joined
Jun 28, 2011
Messages
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Re: probable outdrive clunk when in forward gear, 2.3 OMC cobra, 1989 four winns

I've been looking around for an outdrive in case mine needs work, (I'll know tomorrow). i've seen a few for sale by me for 850-1500, including and entire bayliner with a 3.0 for 1,000. Owner says, he never had a problem with the drive, just can't get the motor running. Whats a decent price for these outdrives in good used condition, and will that drive from the 3.0 fit my 2.3?
 
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