HELP! Removing OMC Cobra I/O 4.3L for stringer repairs

[newboater75]

I have a 1991 Four Winns Freedom 190; need to remove engine to replace stringers... ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED!! I have no previous boat-repair experience, but have auto-mechanic experience. Thank you!

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: HELP! Removing OMC Cobra I/O 4.3L for stringer repairs

You need to pull the drive off first to get the driveshaft out of the coupler/gimbal bearing, then you can start to remove the engine and the transom mount, if your stringers are gone some of the transom maybe as well. Really recommend you get a manual for this, specifically a real OMC for your year, check on ebay see them there all the time.

 

[Don S]

Re: HELP! Removing OMC Cobra I/O 4.3L for stringer repairs

"Freedoms just another word for..... Nothing left to loose"

Sing along guys, you know the words to this Janice Joplin song.

We had one of those at our shop that we (Stupidly) took in for trade. 6 years later it went to the dump.
Make sure only the stringers are bad, my guess is the transom and all of the decks are rotten too. Put that with a 470 engine, (aka 190) and you have nothing. We sang the song above after one of the techs sang it at coffee break one morning..... Never forgot it, it was great!

 

[newboater75]

Re: HELP! Removing OMC Cobra I/O 4.3L for stringer repairs

You need to pull the drive off first to get the driveshaft out of the coupler/gimbal bearing, then you can start to remove the engine and the transom mount, if your stringers are gone some of the transom maybe as well. Really recommend you get a manual for this, specifically a real OMC for your year, check on ebay see them there all the time.

Thank you for the advise, I am working on getting a manual. Do you have much experience with replacing stringers and fiberglassing... basically replacing entire floor/sub-floor, any tips are appreciated. Also, where can I purchase the foam to replace what was taken out? I realize now that I may have purchased a 'headache', but seeing as it's my first boat, I'd like to get a couple of years out of it, hopefully more after replacing the floor! Thanks again!

 

[Don S]

Re: HELP! Removing OMC Cobra I/O 4.3L for stringer repairs

I think you would be better off getting rid of it and buying a better first boat, but if you want to fix it up, try posting your stringer and deck repairs over on the boat restoration forum here at iboats. LOTS more of the info you're looking for over there.
Here's a quick link to it.

http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewforum;fid=26

 

[newboater75]

Re: HELP! Removing OMC Cobra I/O 4.3L for stringer repairs

[whisper uid=4620]

I removed the outdrive (still waiting on manual to arrive..), but having a problem getting a 'cable' removed from outdrive 'front' housing (the part attached to the transom mount, and houses the U-joint). The cable goes into a 'brass' sleeve that is screwed in from the 'front' of this housing, and when I pull it out enough to try to unscrew the 'tube', it just turns right back in (is not 'free-spinning'). I'm not sure, but I think this cable goes to the throttle linkage. Any tips on removing that? is the last thing to remove before able to take off that housing.

[/whisper]

 

[Bondo]

Re: HELP! Removing OMC Cobra I/O 4.3L for stringer repairs

Put that with a 470 engine, (aka 190)

Woooow,...... Hey Don,...... It's a 4.3l OMC,........

Ayuh,.... I Know that Ain't much Better,...... d
But it's the Boat that's a 190,... Not the Motor.........

'ell,..... with Only 12 posts,+ You've Scared this Poor Soul Speechless..........................d

 

[Don S]

Re: HELP! Removing OMC Cobra I/O 4.3L for stringer repairs

But it's the Boat that's a 190,... Not the Motor.........

Just went back and reread it, Man! did I ever screw that up

And you are right bondo, that OMC 4.3 is a better than the 190 (Mercruiser engine). But please, tell no one I said that about OMC.

 

[Bondo]

Re: HELP! Removing OMC Cobra I/O 4.3L for stringer repairs

Hey,.......................................................At Least it's a Chevy,............d

 

[Don S]

Re: HELP! Removing OMC Cobra I/O 4.3L for stringer repairs

'ell,..... with Only 12 posts,+ You've Scared this Poor Soul Speechless

Nah, I doubt that happened, probably the censoring software got a hold of it after he explained his opinion of my existance here on earth. :^

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: HELP! Removing OMC Cobra I/O 4.3L for stringer repairs

Not sure if this the exact manual you need but i bought mine from this guy on Ebay. Email him your engine and drive serial numbers and i bet he will have what you need.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1990...emQQcategoryZ26453QQihZ010QQitemZ200035722367

 

[newboater75]

Re: HELP! Removing OMC Cobra I/O 4.3L for stringer repairs

Not "scared away"... was mainly watching my post in the restoration section, as recommended by Don... who won't be on the top of my list of those to call for "moral support"!! But, however I can respect his experienced opinions. I, however, would like to fix this one right in order to make it a decent boat, as writing it off as a "lesson learned" and total loss is not an option for me.

Thanks, Gary, for the link, i just orded/received the SELOC OMC Stern Drive manual for this model, it seems to be pretty good. Already removed engine, outdrive, transom plate, etc... stripped it for the transom/stringer work.

Thanks again, all, for your input... any recommendations on what should be done, besides the obvious 'tune-up' work, while the engine is out? Any know issues w/ oil pump, or other internal components? Oh, I'm not great w/ carborators either, any tips on setting up a Holly 2bbl.? Had problems with engine shutting off when shifting into gear, idle isn't right.

Thanks!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: HELP! Removing OMC Cobra I/O 4.3L for stringer repairs

Good luck! I would still think about the original OMC manual. I have a Seloc book too,The OMC book is much more detailed..

Have fun on that project..8)8)8)

 

[lilmandavis]

Re: HELP! Removing OMC Cobra I/O 4.3L for stringer repairs

how is that said? "Let me know how that works out for ya!" asking your ol lady for nylons is the hard part. then rubbing them on your body to pull out the fiberglass shards stuck everywhere. I wont be doin anymore of that shi*.

 

[newboater75]

Re: HELP! Removing OMC Cobra I/O 4.3L for stringer repairs

So, no one has any suggestions on things to check for, or replace while engine is out??

 

[Darkhorse1201]

Re: HELP! Removing OMC Cobra I/O 4.3L for stringer repairs

If you are having problems with the engine dieing afetr shifting into gear, that would probably be the shift interupt swicth settin and is best adjusted with engine in boat and running.Other than that - check for oil leaks (rear main seal is impossible to do in boat), obvious things like waterpump on front of motor, flush out risers, new hoses throughout, rebuild of the carb, etc. Just my 2 cents worth and I just replaced earlier this year my 4.3 OMC engine.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: HELP! Removing OMC Cobra I/O 4.3L for stringer repairs

Newboater75 -- there are varying opinions on this, but, you could install an oil drain kit/hose into your oil pan... it would make future oil changes easier..

It's product # MPI305-0380 at ebasicpower.com

Makes my oil changes much easier. Just run the hose out of the water drain hole in transom.

 

[bobboater1]

Re: HELP! Removing OMC Cobra I/O 4.3L for stringer repairs

well about 15 yrs ago. with lots of car experence and body repair experence..( i am no pro at boats). i sent my 84 reinken 18ft bow rider to the shop for a rear boot. he called me back fast and said come by the shop. i did. he took a prybar and lifted my engine up and down bad stringers he said ..i said how $$ he said $2500 i was like wow just for wood beams?? so i asked him to please remove my engine also and with new beams would he remount engine..he said yes..i live in wpb fla at the time boats everywhere..i went to my local big boat repair center down the street. he said he would stop by. he did a while later asked me if i drink beer as i cannot afford his shop and he has no time for these little boats.he told me to grap a case of beer.and am i handy i said yes. he said cut the floor up i cut up 3/4 of the floor, took old 3pc 2/4's that were rotted beams . went to lumber yard and brought like 1- 5"x6" lenght of would took my old one to marine wood shop had them cut the angle right to match..glassed them in . glasses new floor in went to where engine was $400 later new omc boot and they mounted my engine..would i do it again. only if i loved the boat i got a carlson css 19 ft . i would but other wize i would buy a different boat but if you got no big $$$ in boat and time its not so bad i am getting older 44 and been working on cars since i was 9 yrs old. so i buy new cars now and thats why i got a long block for this glastron because i get tired of some things..good luck
bob/philly

 

[bobboater1]

Re: HELP! Removing OMC Cobra I/O 4.3L for stringer repairs

also i have no garage anymore as i live in the city. i tire of big projects and dont have the time. but you can do this..is the engine trailer outdrive good..if so life is not so bad..YOU CAN DO IT WITH THE HELP HERE
bob

 

[newboater75]

Re: HELP! Removing OMC Cobra I/O 4.3L for stringer repairs

Thanks for the tips guys! And the link to the oil drain hose, that is a great idea. I already have the engine out, and outdrive completely off to start repairing the stingers, and transom. Will, most likely, be replacing all cooling hoses, oil pan gskt, rear main, valve cover gskts, etc... will consider water pump, may as well while it's easily accessible! Has a new Carborator on it, just needs to be tuned up I imagine.

Thanks again!