OMC Cobra outdrive not aligning

[Rob2024]

I have just replaced the long block on my OMC cobra, everything on the inside matched up, the problem I am having is getting the outdrive in, I have the alignment tool and stand for the outdrive, I have raised the motor and lowered the motor as far as I can go both ways and cannot get the alignment tool all the way in. Question, is the 1987 and 1993 OMC cobra inner bell housing brackets the same? could the length of the brackets be different? Making it so I reach a max height while trying to raise the motor.

 

[kenny nunez]

Try backing the top nuts then with your engine hoist connected to the front of the engine lower the bottom nuts, loosen the 2 rear nuts then raise and lower the engine while working with the alinement until it starts to engage the splines then start hitting the bar in all directions. Try bulling the bar straight out and look at the spline contact to help see which way the engine needs to go.
Is your transom solid, if it is getting soft then that could be the main problem.

 

[Rob2024]

The transom was just repaired before new long block was installed, new fiberglass and paint, Thank you for your response. Also just purchased a new gimble bearing should arrive early next week, want to eliminate that as a possible issue

 

[Roadking57]

Here is my story about alignment. Pulled my first outdrive Alpha One Gen 1. replaced bellows and shaft seal ect. Never removed engine nor moved adjustments. Bought alignment tools. When I inserted the alignment rod it went in (with new gimbal bearing). I had to smack it a small amount with rubber hammer. I did this 2X pulled and more grease and it went in a bit easier. OK figured its aligned right? Tried lower unit. Went in about 1/2 way. No further. Took back out. Go watch another video. The guy slid alignment tool in and out about 8 times. Hmmm. My Queen was helping me and said lets go do that, cant hurt right? So, we went out to shop and greased rod good and smacked in with my hand now but hard non the less. We also, using my hand only, smacked the rod up/down side/side a bit. ( the video said helps with aligning gimbal bearing).
Then after about the 6th insertion the rod began to slide in easily with no banging. After 8-10 times now the alignment tool slid in using hand pressure forcibly but not hard and no smacking with hand. Then when we tried the outdrive... BAM! Went right in flush.
Good Luck Sir!

 

[Lou C]

There’s that, and here’s a few tricks I learned on the Cobra…
I use a drive jack with the boat on level ground
Then get the height of the drive to line up with the pivot housing
Next slide a long thin screwdriver in the ujoint area
Carefully guide the driveshaft in keeping it as straight as possible
When it’s nearly all the way in, if it doesn’t go right in give it like a 1/8” turn with the screwdriver that’s all it takes sometimes to get it to line up. Doing this I have not had to force anything for a long time; before that 1/4 times it would fight me.
Other tips:
Grease the splines on the driveshaft in addition to gimble & ujoints but no grease on those 2 o rings; if it gets in the groove in the driveshaft it may stop the shaft from sliding in. Motor oil only on those o rings.