onesickpantera

My buddy's King Cobra has "popped" out of gear a few times. I figured it was the shift cable.

It isn't. When you put the drive in gear you can grab the prop and turn it about 1/4 turn until it fully "locks". Then you can turn it just a smidge(1/4") in the opposite direction and again turn the prop a 1/4 turn. You can do this over and over. It's not the prop hub the prop shaft is turning. I also checked the engine coupler and the input shaft is NOT spinning. So, somewhere between the propshaft and the input shaft the drive is "slipping".

I'm stumped!

MOBILEMERCMAN

It must have rung a shaft.
Jim

onesickpantera

Huh?

Airpacker

clutch dogs smoked if its a pre 1990

onesickpantera

No, it's a cone clutch model. I forgot to mention that.

I'm thinking the cone clutch isn't fully engaging for some reason.

CC247

I just went out and checked my 1990 king cobra and my prop does the same as yours. Mine doesn't jump out of gear. If I can help let me know.

onesickpantera

What? You can turn the prop with it in gear? I can't see how this is normal. I know my Bravo doesn't budge and my other friend's cone clutch King Cobra didn't either.

CC247

yup, I put it in gear. Grab the prop and turn it with my hand. It moves 2-1/2" then locks. If I move the prop backwards about 2-1/2" it locks. So I guess you could say there's play. Like about 1/8 of a turn. Maybe mine is screwed up, but it doesn't pop out of gear.

CC247

After re-reading your post, could you have a broken gear somewhere in the drive? I've never had a cobra apart so I'm not sure.

onesickpantera

It is still running great except it pops out of gear on occasion.

Here's the kicker. Went back to my other friend's boat and if you turn it SLOWLY it does the same thing. So I guess it is normal? I'm baffled. Must be an OMC thing.