Finding a Clutch - 94 OMC Cobra

[samm835]

I am looking online to buy a clutch just incase my mechanic says I need one. I am having issues getting back into neutral, maybe an easy fix but I want to be prepared for the worst cost wise, so I thought I would look into the cost of the cost of the clutch. I tried looking here but was unsuccessful, anyone throw me a link to find a cobra clutch for a 94.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Finding a Clutch - 94 OMC Cobra

Do you mean the gears in the lower unit? Cone clutch gears?
Not sure if the 94 model used the shift interrupt switch but that causes the engine to stumble enough to assist in shifting out of gear.

 

[samm835]

Re: Finding a Clutch - 94 OMC Cobra

To be honest I don't know if I need the gears(lower) I am thinking(hoping) just the actual cone clutch portion. I guess my question was dumb to ask, it might be better to just have the mechanic look at it. All I can say goes into forward easy and into reverse. It is when I try to get back into neutral it seems hard to find....so my thinking was the clutch might be going out.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Finding a Clutch - 94 OMC Cobra

94 was the crossover year between the older Cobra dog clutch and the newer cone clutch. You need to know what you have before you decide what needs to be fixed. The year of the boat does not matter. A 94 boat could have the older drive.

Where is your raw water pump located on your boat? I am not talking about the engine circulation pump.

 

[samm835]

Re: Finding a Clutch - 94 OMC Cobra

Bruce if I am remembering right the pump is at the front left side of the motor.....if I am thinking correctly(more than likely not). I have the Model and serial #'s if those will help determine. Thanks for the help.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Finding a Clutch - 94 OMC Cobra

Post the numbers,it will help.
It may need a new shift cable.If it goes into both gears ok but hard coming out i doubt the gears are the problem.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Finding a Clutch - 94 OMC Cobra

Based on your water pump reply, lets assume you have the cone clutch model. Take the back cover off of your drive and remove the shift cable. Now try shifting with your control and see how easy it is. Should be very easy now.

You really should have a manual at this point forward. Do you have a factory manual?

 

[samm835]

Re: Finding a Clutch - 94 OMC Cobra

Here are the numbers model- 987343 and the serial# 00773301, I do have a manual.....that came with it, just not the factory one. It is what came with it and I am ordering the factory one this week. Thanks for the help.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Finding a Clutch - 94 OMC Cobra

Before you order the manual, you need to make sure what model you have. for some reason, the model number that you gave doesn't seem like a Cobra model number to me.

http://www.sterndrive.info/model_numbers.html

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Finding a Clutch - 94 OMC Cobra

The correct service manual will indicate the correct drive serial number(s) that it covers.

Those model numbers from TC Electronics are engine model numbers only....A specific drive went with that engine model number.... OMC used 6 digit numbers for everything else including drives. (and I think they went to a Volvo Penta numbering system on the drives/parts that were Volvo)

If you have someone (that knows what they are doing) rebuilding/fixing your drive, you should let them find your parts for you and negotiate with them for the best price.

TC Electronics, Doug Russell Marine, Shorts Marine are all places that have had Cobra parts in the past. If it's a Cone clutch model, you may be able to get the parts from a BRP dealer.

http://epc.brp.com/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=/Default.aspx

Regards,


Rick

Here are the numbers model- 987343 and the serial# 00773301, I do have a manual.....that came with it, just not the factory one. It is what came with it and I am ordering the factory one this week. Thanks for the help.

 

[marada1]

Re: Finding a Clutch - 94 OMC Cobra

According to the Seloc Manual model #987343 is a 1993 Cobra drive for a 3.0l, 1.86:1 ratio. Sounds like a problem with your ESA.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Finding a Clutch - 94 OMC Cobra

As marada1 says, that is a 93 3.0 drive which means it still has the raw water pump in the drive not engine mounted and it's a dog clutch drive not a cone clutch. The ESA and the lower shift cable are the places to start looking at.

 

[samm835]

Re: Finding a Clutch - 94 OMC Cobra

Thanks for all the help, I am not doing the work on it because it is way out of my league.......but I am trying to know my cost prior to me taking it to the mechanic so I know I am getting a fair deal. I am using a new mechanic, I think he is fair, but no matter who I use I always like to know a ballpark. So IF it is the ESA and lowershift cable is this easier/cheaper to fix than doing a whole new clutch....right?
BTW...what is the ESA? yes I know I should look in the manual, but I am at work right now....and curiosity will kill me before I get home.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Finding a Clutch - 94 OMC Cobra

ESA is (Electronic Shift Assist) it's an electronic module designed to momentarily ground out the coil in pulses so in effect it makes the engine stumble (not stall) which lowers the RPM's and helps to take the load off the gears which makes it easier to shift out of gear into neutral. A quick test is to have the engine in neutral at idle and depress the interrupt switch, if the engine stumbles then the module and switch and wiring is ok and you have to check the mechanical part, the lower shift cable, etc that activate the switch. The module if bad should be less than $100 plus labor if not doing it yourself. The cable can be a few hundred bucks plus labor but either will be way less than having the clutch dog done. Here is a good link if you'd like to read up on shifting problems

http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Finding a Clutch - 94 OMC Cobra

In reality, according to the service manual the ESA "pulses" the ignition.

These pulses cause the engine to "lope" which would probably be the best way to describe it....

Since the "Dogs" are slightly under-cut, torque from the engine and the resistance the prop sees in the water keep the dogs together. When the ESA pulses the ignition, the torque presumably pulses too allowing you to "strong-arm" the dogs apart. without the ESA You might be able to pull them apart in the gear that allows you to put the cable in tension when coming back into neutral but the gear that requires you to "push" the cable would probably just bend it or stretch the jacket.

Bottom line, the ESA and HAS to work properly and the lower shift cable adjustment is critical.

ESA is (Electronic Shift Assist) it's an electronic module designed to momentarily ground out the coil in pulses so in effect it makes the engine stumble (not stall) which lowers the RPM's and helps to take the load off the gears which makes it easier to shift out of gear into neutral. A quick test is to have the engine in neutral at idle and depress the interrupt switch, if the engine stumbles then the module and switch and wiring is ok and you have to check the mechanical part, the lower shift cable, etc that activate the switch. The module if bad should be less than $100 plus labor if not doing it yourself. The cable can be a few hundred bucks plus labor but either will be way less than having the clutch dog done. Here is a good link if you'd like to read up on shifting problems

http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/