Conference vicki::boats

    Thanks for the note on the Cobra Drive recall.  I have a 1988 and
    have the Mid shift cable problem.  My OMC dealer has tried to repair
    it twice and just recently informed me about the recall.  
    
    I would suggest that anyone with a 1986 to 1989 Cobra Drive get
    in touch with their OMC dealer.  When the shift cable stretches,
    it creates a real problem getting it out of gear.  It is also very
    difficult getting it into reverse.  As a result, you could have
    some real big problems docking, when you can't stop or back-up
    when you need to.  This is a real hazard and needs to be fixed
    quickly.  I am surprised that OMC waited this long to announce the
    recall.  The streching is very common and has caused many knicks
    and scratches when operators cannot control their boat.

    I just got a pleasant surprise. When my dealer did the cable recall,
    they also replaced the gears. the Service manager said the new gears
    were a 5 vs 3 ?  degree cut.I guess they are doing the gears on any
    big block they work on (460 Ford engine). This will be the third set
    I've had. Not bad for an '87. And all of it covered under warranty.
    Now if they could only find an engine problem before May 14 (end of 
    warranty).
    
    
    Scott

    Is the 5.7L (351) considered a big block.
    

    a 5.7l is a 350 chevy and that is considered a small block (in cars)
     
    a 5.8l is a 351 FORD and it is also considered a small block (in
    cars), despite its looks.
    
    
    
    Don

RE: Note 549.3   

>> Is the 5.7L (351) considered a big block.
   
No, a Ford 351 is a small block.  The terms "big" and "small" block 
refer to the actual size of the block rather than displacement. You 
need to know which "family" an engine is based on to know whether it's 
a small or big block.  The Ford 351 is based on the old 221-260-289
-302 block, making it a small block.  Also note that the 351 Windsor
is the one generally seen in marine applications, the 351 Cleveland
is rarely seen in marine use.  Also the 351M and 400M (Modified Cleveland)
are based on the small block but are not easily interchangeable.  They
are also considered to be "pigs" and are almost never used in high
performance or marine applications.

Since some engine families have a wide range of displacements, there 
are a few small blocks that displace more than big blocks.  A couple
of examples would be the Ford 400 which displaces more than the old 
352-390 big block.  And the Chevy 400 small block and 396 big block.

Here are some lists of the popular engines.  This is from memory so
I probably missed a few.  

Ford          Ford "FE"   Ford "385"   Chevy         Chevy
small block   big block   big block    small block   big block
-----------   ---------   ----------   -----------   ---------
221, 260,     330, 352,   429, 460     262, 265,     396, 402,
289, 302,     360, 390,                283, 302,     427, 454,
351W, 351C    406, 410,                305, 307,     502(marine & hi-po
351M, 400M    427, 428                 327, 350,     use only)
                                       400

Rick W.

    
    Pretty good Rick  ;^) ;^) ;^)

    	I have a Four winns freedom 160 with a 3.0 liter and a omc out
    	drive.  while driving I feel a kick in the out drive maybe once
    	every weekend.  It is hard to explane, it is like I went over a
    	stick and hit it with the out drive (but I didn't).  When I first
    	noticed it I was pulling up a ski'er, I thought the rop had a knot
    	in it which pulled loose under the pull.  then it happened again 
    	while just starting up to go out for a ride....  Does anyone have
    	any ideas about what this could be...
    
    		Thanks
    			John
    
    
    

    
    See note 549 - this could be related to the Cobra recall.

    I hate to say this, but it sounds like a chiped gear in your your
    forward pinion gear or clutch dog. Having lived this nightmare 3
    times in 2 seasons I would have an OMC shop look at ASAP. If you
    have a cobra drive and your lower shift cable may have stretched
    eventually causing the chipped gear. I would describe the sickening
    sound as a thump in the outdrive. When things are just starting to
    go, it will be intermitant and mostly happen at a higher load like
    comming out of the hole or a sharp turn. As the chip(s) get worse
    you may find that you cannot keep the boat in gear without it
    slipping.
    
    Hope this is not your problem.
    
    Bruce

    
    
    I called the place were I bought the boat (Milvin Village Marina on
    Winni).  I told then about the problem and that I never got the recall
    for the cable (they asked how I was aware of a recall if I never got
    it), I told them about you help..   They said it sounds like the
    problem and they will cover the cost...

    
    
    >for the cable (they asked how I was aware of a recall if I never got
    >it), I told them about you help..   They said it sounds like the
    
    	It's great to see boats.note work in such ways!!!
    
    Rick

    OMC has come out with a new clutch dog that has a 5 degree negative
    cut.  This forces the Clutch dog to fully ingage.  The bang you feel
    is the clutch finaly ingaging.
    
    Rick R
    
     

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================================================================================
Note 1124.0                Cobra-outdrive info needed                 No replies
ASABET::LEBLANC                                       7 lines   1-NOV-1993 08:47
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    Anyone have information pertaining to an I/O 1989 Cobra-outdrive 5.7.
    Any problem? Any good comments?
    
    Please reply to:
    Denise LeBlanc @MLO
    DTN: 223-3690
    

    Find out what gears and shift cable it has. Get the details on the
    history of the lower unit. The early model cobra drives had
    big problems, I known, I went through 5 sets of gears. They
    finally got it right. Get it checked out by an OMC mechanic,
    
    Bruce