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1990 OMC 43 lost nut in outdrive

D

Dave Dick

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"Trying to self-winterize and

"Trying to self-winterize and I removed a panhead screw on middle port side of outdrive. Water was behind screw and I could see large square nut sitting inside. Tried to get a wire on it to retain, but ultimately lost nut somewhere inside water channels. Not sure if it went down towards prop, or towards hose and engine. Outdrive is a model #986032, I need to get manuals for it. Have tried to fish for the nut with wires and magnets, and also using wet vacuum and air compressor, but no luck so far.
Does anyone have a suggestion?? Is the screw a drain and you are only supposed to open it a small turn?? Is the nut stainless? Is there a way to dislodge it without having to tear down the unit?? Any help would be great, this is a super forum."
 
"Keep the drive vertical and r

"Keep the drive vertical and remove it from the boat. Unless You have started the engine it will not get far. If You do not see it in the water-channel when drive is off, take down the impellerpump housing and check. If You started the engine and got water-pressure on - it might have travelled towards engine but normally gets stopped by the oil-cooler for the power-steering (if You have) or the thermostat housing.
Good Luck."
 
lol
Sorry for laughing but t

lol
Sorry for laughing but that exact thing happend to me on the same exact drive. I lost several nights sleep and finally decided that I would never rest until it was out. I removed it and flipped it until the thing came out. Dont waste your time. Pull it off and shake it. Sorry but that the best advice.
 
"Thanks for such quick replys

"Thanks for such quick replys gentlemen. I neglected to say that this is a Cobra outdrive, grey in color. I have not started the engine, but I did lower and raise and lower the drive while attempting to fish for the nut.
Engine does have a steering oil cooler as I had to re-solder it at start of season. Morten, when you say "vertical" do you mean in the transport position or down in the go position???
Being inexperienced with outdrives I'm nervous about removing it. Is it a case of just unbolting at the vertical joint aft of the gimbel and removing a self-contained unit, or does it involve shafts, splines, gears, seals, bearings, oil, alignment etc.???
Thanks again for the help and expert advice!!!"
 
"Lower the drive so the trim-c

"Lower the drive so the trim-cylinders are about 1" + out.
Take off one of the nuts at the rod going through the drive and trim-cylinders and push/pull -'screw' out the rod.(watch the washers)
Support the drive fin (piece of wood or similar), take off the 6 nuts holding the drive and pull/wiggle it out backwards.Then You will see the water-pocket on port side and hopefully find the nut.
As You have it off. remember to lubricate the joints, check the u-joint bellow,clean and lubricate the transom bearing, clean and lubricate the pocket where You have the shift-cable comming out.
You will need a new gasket when installing again."
 
I thought I was the only one..

I thought I was the only one...I undid both of those screws and both backing plates were inside drive....furtunately another fellow at marina had same thing happen. We took off inpeller housing removed impeller and using a coat hanger was able to locate plate which should be about 1 - 1/2 inches below hole. Then pushed backing plate in front of hole while buddy threaded back in bolt. If u need further info let me know. It worked for both took about 1/2 in total to do both. I found out the only reason for those holes was to remove drive off of mold when they were made. Dumb OMC designers....
 
"Rob, I just did this last wee

"Rob, I just did this last week. See the post a few down labeled "OMC lower unit...I am baffled" I was able to just sneak thie stern drive off and fish it our without completely pulling the drive. I then fished it out with a magnet, and put it back in with a long needle nose pliers, holding it while putting the screw back in. It took a few tries, but after it was in everything went back together fine. I wrote on my drive with marker pen to never remove those screws again!"
 
"Rob, I also had an engine hoi

"Rob, I also had an engine hoist when I pulled it so the unit would not drop, that was key. I never actually had to pull the shaft completely out of the boat. If you do you will need a special tool. This line has been great for a manual, I paid for the online manual, it has step by step pics and insturctinos. http://www.selocmarine.com/seloc_online/index.php"
 
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