1988 OMC 4.3l Cobra Common Problems?

[astuckey]

Hi guys, as the 2013 boating season is starting up, I was wondering, what are some common problems that these engines and drives have, and what can I do to prevent these problems? I know about all the shifting issues; my boat shifts smoothly and has a red lower shift cable, not the stock one. But other than that one, what else is a common issue? My engine is a 4.3l GM with a rochester 2 barrel carb (which was recently rebuilt because of the accelerator pump) and and an electronic ignition conversion to a Pertronix ignitor 2. One thing that I am slightly concerned about is the starter motor. Is there a way to tell if it is going to stop working soon?

One thing that I noticed is that there is some corrosion behind the mechanism that the cable attaches to, to shift the lower unit. The cable itself is nice and clean. Should I clean this, and if so, how? Or is it better to leave this alone?

Also, going to change the gear lube this year and was wondering if I should run the engine before changing it to get the oil hot?

Thank you for your help!

 

[Don S]

Re: 1988 OMC 4.3l Cobra Common Problems?

I was wondering, what are some common problems that these engines and drives have,

Lack of proper maintenance is the major problem.

and what can I do to prevent these problems?

Do the maintenance. It's more than changing the engine oil and filter. There is also gear lube, bellows, impellers, alignments, fuel filters, and lots of other things.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: 1988 OMC 4.3l Cobra Common Problems?

Hi guys, as the 2013 boating season is starting up, I was wondering, what are some common problems that these engines and drives have, and what can I do to prevent these problems? I know about all the shifting issues; my boat shifts smoothly and has a red lower shift cable, not the stock one. But other than that one, what else is a common issue? My engine is a 4.3l GM with a rochester 2 barrel carb (which was recently rebuilt because of the accelerator pump) and and an electronic ignition conversion to a Pertronix ignitor 2. One thing that I am slightly concerned about is the starter motor. Is there a way to tell if it is going to stop working soon?

One thing that I noticed is that there is some corrosion behind the mechanism that the cable attaches to, to shift the lower unit. The cable itself is nice and clean. Should I clean this, and if so, how? Or is it better to leave this alone?

Also, going to change the gear lube this year and was wondering if I should run the engine before changing it to get the oil hot?

Thank you for your help!

When changing gear lube be certain to follow the proper procedure. Which means you drain the oil from the bottom plug & fill from the middle one. Do it wrong & your drive will be toast in short order. Good luck.

 

[astuckey]

Re: 1988 OMC 4.3l Cobra Common Problems?

I have never done any maintainence to the bellows or alignments to anything really. What is there to do to keep the bellows and u joint in good shape? I do put some marine greese in the u joint every other year.

Every year I:
Inspect oil quality, change if needed
Check timing and advance
Change fuel water separator if necessary

Every other year I:
Pull the drive at the end of the season
Change water pump impeller
Greese u joint and replace o rings on shaft
Inspect gear lube and change if necessary

What else should I be doing to minimize the chance of having a problem?

Thanks again for the help!