anyone know what this is?

[gordelbar]

1986 OMC 3.0 with Cobra out-drive. I couldn't shift into reverse so I pulled the out-drive and I think I found the problem. This stuff looks like the corrosion you'd see on a battery terminal; very light bluish-grey. The space is full of it. The area is bone dry, the boat has only seen one salt water day in its life and my zincs are all fine. Any idea where it came from and how I can prevent a recurrence? I plan to clean it up, install new gasket set and reassemble. Anything else I should do while I'm in there? Thanks for any help!

 

[MRS]

Re: anyone know what this is?

Mine also always has that so when I pull outdrive always clean and add grease in there. Plus if you are having shift trouble maybe change out transom shift cable while you are there just make sure you get the 2 tools to install it so your measurements are right.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: anyone know what this is?

Later Cobras had grease fittings on the bushing that the bellcrank rides on so you could fill that entire cavity with grease.

Since you don't have that, fill it up as much as you can before you put the drive back on.

 

[gordelbar]

Re: anyone know what this is?

Thanks, guys. I thought it looked like a corroded piece of metal but it doesn't look like anything's missing.
I believe the shifting trouble was caused by this accumulation so I'll clean and fill it with grease and be on my way.
Do you think it'd be a good idea to tap a hole and add a zerk fitting?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: anyone know what this is?

Do you think it'd be a good idea to tap a hole and add a zerk fitting?

Maybe...it would be in the bushing for the bellcrank.

You can see what it looks like in the newer ones:
Check out part #80 and #79.
http://www.marineengine.com/parts/o...acturer=OMC+Stern+Drive&section=Transom+Mount

I actually converted mine to the new parts. I had an 87 Cobra.