I have 89 OMC 302 with Cobra outdrive and recently I had to replace gakets on the outdrive lower and upper units. Now my boat shifts funny, it does not go out of the forward when shifted back to neutral half the time. Also it makes grinding and rattling noise when Forward is engaged and if I do not give it some gas engine dies on idle, but if I gas it a little is engages further and runs well. Anyways, I think I need to adjust the shift rod to a proper length, but my Clymer manual does not say how much I need to unbolt it to the perfect height, it tells me to use some kind of OMC measuring rod/tool. If someone know how many turns I have to bring it out, or what the length of it should be on neutral I would very much appreciate it. If you have this tool, please let me know what it's total length is.<br />Thanks<br />mike
<br />I went outisde and started playing with it until I noticed that the "Overstroke Switch" was not alligned and because of that when forward gear engaged engine started to stall, vibrate and rattle until I'd give it some gas. I fixed the switch position and now it is back to normal.<br />Local shops refuse to work on OMC except for one, but this one is way too busy and important for me, so I have to do my own rebuilds.<br />I also alligned the Forward gear disengagement by adding little spring to the shifter assembly on the throttle body, now it returns cable to the perfect neutral as it should be.<br /><br />One thing I like in OMC, the parts are cheaper than imaginable, the other thing is the power, my $3500 boat runs 50+ mph!<br /><br />Thank you very much for all your help.