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  1. Lou C

    Changing the U-Joint on an OMC Cobra Out Drive, OD

    Given the level of corrosion, I agree with the fact that the input shaft seal is likely to leak. I would think about having a shop do it, and maybe replace that whole input shaft/u-joint assembly with a good used one or aftermarket, if the OEM is not available. What year is this? I thought it...
  2. Lou C

    OMC COBRA 5.8 EFI and ESA

    Looks like you have a leaky seal somewhere; the drive sucked in water when it cooled that’s why the level was high.
  3. Lou C

    Suggestions on LongBlock Supplier

    Yes, it depends on how pitted the cast iron of the cylinder walls & the block deck sealing surfaces got from salt water exposure.
  4. Lou C

    OMC COBRA 5.8 EFI and ESA

    No those gears are always running in gear oil Your not shifting from in-gear to neutral is a likely result of: 1) an out of adjustment shift cable 2) ESA system not functioning 3) idle speed too high, or after being set correctly it starts drifting up When you trigger the interrupt switch by...
  5. Lou C

    Suggestions on LongBlock Supplier

    The other day when I drained the water out of the block I pulled the ‘stat housing like I do every few years to make sure the manifold water passage isn’t getting thin and it still seems really solid. If the rest of the block is that good inside I wonder if I could just pull the heads that I...
  6. Lou C

    OMC COBRA 5.8 EFI and ESA

    Exactly. A too high oil level could be bad seals causing the drive to pull in water, but has nothing to do with shifting problems.
  7. Lou C

    Suggestions on LongBlock Supplier

    I would also see if any automotive machine shops local to you will do a marine build. This saves in shipping if you can just rent a U-Haul to pick it up & have a face to face contact
  8. Lou C

    Removing OD Out Drive - It is Stuck

    This is a common issue to all I/O drive systems, and it is why many people will spend extra money on 4 stroke outboards. On their latest drives I think that Volvo Penta had the option of a water sensor inside the bellows to alert you to water there, a great idea if it works right. The only way...
  9. Lou C

    Is there a way to check for a leak between Transom and OD?

    Leaks from the gasket between the drive and the pivot housing won't put water in the bellows. It will let water in the recess where the shifter bell crank moves, but not in the bellows, they are separate. The Sierra gasket for that is OK, what I do is coat the gasket on both sides with OMC...
  10. Lou C

    Removing OD Out Drive - It is Stuck

    Usually the D/S bellows cracks from age. Inspect yearly & replace as soon as you see small cracks in the rubber. On the shift cable boot, on the OMC Cobra that bellows is inside the boat, so leaks are very uncommon.
  11. Lou C

    4.3 Wet to Dry-Joint Conversion.

    I think once the sealing surfaces get narrowed down it’s time to change em.
  12. Lou C

    4.3 Wet to Dry-Joint Conversion.

    When you say you saw some pitting on the exhaust, do you mean the sealing surfaces? If so that might be the problem, when new they should be free of pits and well machined. Here's an old pic of mine from when I installed them 7 years ago.
  13. Lou C

    Removing OD Out Drive - It is Stuck

    Congrats you got er done!
  14. Lou C

    4.3 Wet to Dry-Joint Conversion.

    I recall reading about this because I thought of converting my OMC over to the Merc dry joint style. I have had the OMC/Volvo style wet joints on it for 7 years and no leaks so far (also Barr aftermarket). Reading up on it, for a Merc that came with wet joint originally, there is a kit to allow...
  15. Lou C

    End of season maintenance checks…

    The other thing on my Maintenace list is to scope the elbows/manifolds, to see what the insides look like after 5 seasons here in salt water. Now that I have one of those fancy borescope cameras, I can do stuff like that without having to break the seal and take everything apart. I also pull...
  16. Lou C

    End of season maintenance checks…

    Since I did my top end overhaul back in 2017 I’ve been doing oil analyses and compression tests just to see if there are problems developing. Oil analyses have improved over time and this years compression test was the same as last years, 160-165 in all 6 cyls. I think it’s a good habit because...
  17. Lou C

    Volvo Penta 7.4 GL Slight Water in Oil

    If you're in freshwater especially I'd use a 160 stat if that is a concern. I use one in salt water and haven't had a problem with calcium build up in the cooling system. I actually tried a 140 stat and the engine took forever to warm up and I had some condensation not in the engine but in the...
  18. Lou C

    Removing OD Out Drive - It is Stuck

    are you sure the gearshift is in neutral?
  19. Lou C

    Volvo Penta 7.4 GL Slight Water in Oil

    https://www.amazon.com/Articulating-Teslong-Industrial-Articulated-Inspect-5FT/dp/B0CJY5C9QX?ref_=ast_sto_dp This is the one I use… https://forums.iboats.com/threads/a-real-useful-tool%E2%80%A6.775690/
  20. Lou C

    Removing OD Out Drive - It is Stuck

    Mine was always removed so it never got stuck & always greased the D/S splines. Depending on how big you are you might be able to get down near the bell housing behind the engine & you can feel where the driveshaft comes out. Spray penetrating oil in that area as much as you can. Did the bilge...
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