1989 5.7 omc propeller not spinning

[KamelRed408]

Hello everyone.

My name is Mike but feel free to call me Red.

I just would like to take a moment and give thanks to everyone who replied and help me on my journey to having a working boat.


I'm fresh to these types of projects and I may ask questions you feel should just be answered by common sense . So please bare with me and again thanks to everyone for your support!




Now to the juice part THE BOAT!


I have a 1989 5.7 omc

I do not know the model number as it has rubbed off when I tried to wipe some dust off.

I think the engine model number is
1989 > 5.7 L > 574APRMED

Stern drive model number is
985288



Is there a way I can find the exact model number of my engine?



I'm having a problem with the propeller not spinning.

I have replaced the propeller and the hub kit.

I feel like the. propeller isn't seated all the way on the shaft...am I wrong?


I can not shift the lever into reverse and when I put the boat in forward it does increase in rpms but doesn't go into gear the propeller spins freely in both directions



Do you think i need a new shifter lever and cable? Do you think my lower gear box is broken?



How can I test what I need to fix.

 

[kenny nunez]

First get a genuine OMC service manual for the model number that you posted. Disconnect the lower shift cable and try pulling and pushing to see if the drive can be shifted.
Sometimes the propeller shop did not press the hub all the way in. Is the thrust washer on backwards?
When was the last time the drive worked?

 

[KamelRed408]

I have ordered a hard copy of the oem kobra manual. It will come in 10 days from eBay.
Was only $50


I disconnected the lower shift cable from the engine side. I tried to pull and push on the end attachment. I was able to push the cable in (towards the sterndrive) just slightly. I was not able to pull the cable (towards the driver seat).

While the lower shift cable was connected. I had extreme resistance trying to put the shifter into forward and I could not put the shifter into reverse.

When I disconnected the lower shift cable from the engine side I attempted to move the shifter into forward. It moved like butter and it moved into reverse like butter as well. Now they were not in gear and the propeller just spun freely. But I can tell the cable must be broken.




So I have ordered these items

1989 OMC Cobra Stern Drives 4-6-8 Cylinder Service Manual , P/N 507759

$50



I could not for the life of me find an oem replacement. I have the part numbers here
From what's already in the boat. I ordered an aftermarket set that claims to be oem quality.


Lower shift cable
986654
M0440

1 x Lower Shift Cable Kit OMC Cobra Sterndrive 1986-1993 987661

$60


I found other kits with alignment tools and the kit I ordered had no tools .so from Amazon I order aftermarket set.

SpeedFreakCNC OMC Cobra Compatible Sterndrive Shift Cable & Bell Crank Alignment Tools 915271 & 914017

$32

Do you think If I replace the lower shift cable it will be good to go with the shifting issues.?




As for the propeller. I just installed it myself. I did not press the hub into propeller. Was I supposed to get it press in?


SOLAS 9511-145-19 Rubex 3 Aluminum 3-Blade Propeller - RH, 14.5" Diameter x 19" Pitch

With

Solas RBX-101 Rubex Hub Kit for Evinrude/Johnson/BRP - 90-300 HP (1976-90), 15-Tooth, 4.75" Gearcase



I'll take the propeller off when I do the lower shift cable and see if maybe I did put the washer on backwards . But I'd I do need to press it in I have a Kit I use on cars that may work.



This boat was my friend's and he sold it to me for $1000. It's in dire need of some love but that's what I'm hear for. I want to learn and teach my kids along the way. Even my wife helps me redo the seats.



Thank you for a reply. It does mean a lot to mean and my family's journey to the sea

 

[KamelRed408]

First get a genuine OMC service manual for the model number that you posted. Disconnect the lower shift cable and try pulling and pushing to see if the drive can be shifted.
Sometimes the propeller shop did not press the hub all the way in. Is the thrust washer on backwards?
When was the last time the drive worked?

Do you know if those seastar cables are factory or are replacement set already installed

 

[Scott Danforth]

seastar didnt exist when OMC was still around. OMC went out of business in 1996, Teleflex sold off their marine business (gauges and cables) in 2011 or so. Gauges went to VeeThree, Cables became seastar

 

[kenny nunez]

In the meantime try to remove the swim step which will be a big help for when you start replacing the cable and re installing the drive. You will also need a 1/2” Allen wrench to unscrew the pivot housing bolts. Add a new drive shaft bellows to your parts to replace also.

 

[KamelRed408]

seastar didnt exist when OMC was still around. OMC went out of business in 1996, Teleflex sold off their marine business (gauges and cables) in 2011 or so. Gauges went to VeeThree, Cables became seastar

Thanks for the reply it is greatly appreciated.
I have figured as much. I'm assuming somewhere down the line my friend must have replaced those trying to fix the shifting issues. He isn't mechanically inclined at all. So what mechanic he used didn't do the lower cables.

 

[KamelRed408]

In the meantime try to remove the swim step which will be a big help for when you start replacing the cable and re installing the drive. You will also need a 1/2” Allen wrench to unscrew the pivot housing bolts. Add a new drive shaft bellows to your parts to replace also.

Thanks for the reply. It is greatly appreciated!

Great I have a1/2 Allen wrench socket.
I'll get to removing the swim step it will give me so much more room.

So as for the propeller I got, do I need to get the hub press into the prop?

 

[Lou C]

That prop definitely does not fit right try taking it off and checking which way the spacer is installed

 

[KamelRed408]

That prop definitely does not fit right try taking it off and checking which way the spacer is installed

Yah I have never installed a propeller before but I could tell immediately something was not right. I'm still unsure if I need the hub pressed into this propeller

 

[Bondo]

Yah I have never installed a propeller before but I could tell immediately something was not right. I'm still unsure if I need the hub pressed into this propeller

Ayuh,..... Take it off, 'n post a picture of the backside of it,.....

 

[KamelRed408]

Ayuh,..... Take it off, 'n post a picture of the backside of it,.....

 

[KamelRed408]

In the meantime try to remove the swim step which will be a big help for when you start replacing the cable and re installing the drive. You will also need a 1/2” Allen wrench to unscrew the pivot housing bolts. Add a new drive shaft bellows to your parts to replace also.

I got the swim step off and out of the way. I also took the propeller off.

I need to drain the drive but the bottom screw is stuck

 

[Scott Danforth]

impact driver to get the drain out

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-29200-Hand-Impact-Tool/dp/B0002NYDRG/

 

[KamelRed408]

impact driver to get the drain out

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-29200-Hand-Impact-Tool/dp/B0002NYDRG/

Great I have several . I thought smacking on the stern drive would be a bad idea but she ain't as fragile as she seems ey

 

[KamelRed408]

Worked like butter. 2 smacks and she was free.
The gear oil looks great no water in it. It definitely needed a change. This stern is a mystery to me. Idk the service records at all

 

[Lou C]

When you refill these be careful…the official way to do it is to replace all 3 gaskets and reinstall the bottom most plug. Put the large dip stick plug in the top hole but do not thread in yet. Hook up your gear oil pump to the second hole up from the bottom. Slowly pump in gear oil (it should take 2 qts) till it reads full on the dipstick. Now screw in & tighten the dipstick. Next quickly remove your gear oil pump fitting & reinstall that drain plug. After letting it sit a while re check the level by removing the dipstick, if it needs a little more you can just add it via the hole for the dipstick. You must get 2 qts in or else you will burn up the upper gear set. These are refilled differently from other lower units.

 

[KamelRed408]

Idk what the deal with the propeller is

Solas RBX-101 Rubex Hub Kit for Evinrude/Johnson/BRP - 90-300 HP (1976-90), 15-Tooth, 4.75" Gearcase


SOLAS 9511-145-19 Rubex 3 Aluminum 3-Blade Propeller - RH, 14.5" Diameter x 19" Pitch




These should fit my omc cobra 1989. Idk why its not sliding all the way on the shaft

 

[KamelRed408]

When you refill these be careful…the official way to do it is to replace all 3 gaskets and reinstall the bottom most plug. Put the large dip stick plug in the top hole but do not thread in yet. Hook up your gear oil pump to the second hole up from the bottom. Slowly pump in gear oil (it should take 2 qts) till it reads full on the dipstick. Now screw in & tighten the dipstick. Next quickly remove your gear oil pump fitting & reinstall that drain plug. After letting it sit a while re check the level by removing the dipstick, if it needs a little more you can just add it via the hole for the dipstick. You must get 2 qts in or else you will burn up the upper gear set. These are refilled differently from other lower units.

Thanks I had no idea I'm supposed to replace the plugs n gaskets. Any idea where abouts a quality kit would come from? And is it just marine 80-90 I put back in?

 

[KamelRed408]

Boys I think i found the God damn problem.

It's definitely the wrong propeller.

On the old propeller I was able to clean off and see it says

15 1/2.




Or maybe this one

Seek Prop: 2511-153-19

Blade	Diameter	Pitch	Rotation
Solas Amita 3 - E Plus Aluminum Propeller	Prop Finder
3	15.3	19	R