Shifting problem

[turbo17665]

I was doing some research on my 1990 carevelle and its 2.3 omc cobra setup, I am kinda regretting buying it now from all the negatives I ran across on the cobra but I did not find anything on the 2.3 cobra, Im worried about eating my gears up now because mine is very difficult to shift and makes a grinding noise when shifting from neutral to forward or neutral to reverse, I did read that I could adjust the cables and get it shifting with ease. I would like to hear from someone that knows a little more about the cobra than I do, I dont trust any marine technicians around here, they usually just say its all junk and well give you 500$ on trade for a new boat, I dont want a new boat I want mine running like it should be, so its looking like Im going to be diesel tech turned marine tech on the weekends. Any advice on my issue here would be greatly appreciated.

 

[RIDEPATE]

Re: Shifting problem

Turbo, Don't believe everything you read on the internet about Cobras...........They are like a Rolex, not a Mercrusier Timex.......They do need a little more "love", but all in all, good pieces. The bad Cobra-press is from screw-ups and lack of knowledge, IMO. I've owned more Crusiers (15+) than OMCs (2). I personally find the Cobra a little more user-friendly to spin a wrench on, but I'm a gear-head, everybodies not.

Now to your problem. Do you have a red-cable on your shift-plate?? From what I understand, the red cables were an up-date from a re-called cable, I think it was black. Mine (93,5.0) was a little sketchy shifting into forward, I adjusted the red-cable on the shift-plate, it has a slotted mounting spot with a (+) and (-) on it. I adjusted mine towards the (+) until it shifted like butter. I suspect you don't have a red-cable since you have problems going both ways. Just a guess.

 

[skeat]

Re: Shifting problem

I have an original '89 cobra that has never been rebuilt. Other than routine maintenance and replacing the usual parts I've done nothing. The first thing you need is the original OMC manual which you can find on ebay. Then follow it to the "t". Also google search Stuart Hastings cobra, he has alot of practical advice while referring to the manual. You do want to make sure though that you don't run the boat while it is not adjusted or running correctly because that will be the cause of damage. I've owned the boat for about 12 years now and don't have any regrets.

 

[Don S]

Re: Shifting problem

The only problems with OMC, it that they went out of buisness in 1998. No more trained techs for OMC drives. Parts are available for the drives, mostly aftermarket. The 2.3L Ford was only used for a few years and only by OMC, so there are very few parts available, even as aftermarket.
Your problem sounds like you may have a shift cable failing. If the engine does not start missing when you try to put it into gear or bring it out of gear your problem is probably in the cable between the control and the engine.
If the engine does misfire going into and coming out of gear, you probably need a new Lower shift cable. Between the engine and drive.