Removing the outdrive 4.3L Alpha 1

[df909]

Hey guys-

My first post here. I just got my first boat and noticed a small hole in the exhaust bellows. I'm fairly automotively inclined but have never done anything on a boat. How tough would it be to remove the drive and replace the bellows, gimbal bearing, and steering cable on a 4.3L with an Alpha 1 drive? Please feel free to reference me to whatever material might help. Thanks in advance. By the way, I have auto tools but no special boat tools.

Dave

 

[Bondo]

Re: Removing the outdrive 4.3L Alpha 1

Please feel free to reference me to whatever material might help.

Ayuh,... The factory Manuals are available for download up in the Adults Only section pinned to the top of this forum...
All the answers to your questions are There...

The exhaust bellows isn't really an issue, it's wet inside,+ out...
The Steering cable is replaced from Inside the boat...

 

[df909]

Re: Removing the outdrive 4.3L Alpha 1

Thanks for the reply. So, since it's the exhaust bellows that has a small hole do I even need to worry about it? Can it wait a while until I have to do other work?

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Removing the outdrive 4.3L Alpha 1

Thanks for the reply. So, since it's the exhaust bellows that has a small hole do I even need to worry about it? Can it wait a while until I have to do other work?

No
Yes

If it's really the EXHAUST bellows.

 

[swordfish25]

Re: Removing the outdrive 4.3L Alpha 1

The exhaust bellows leak will not hurt a thing. When you take it apart, change all the bellows. The drive comes off easy. Put the engine in worward gear to start with, and make sure the drive is all the way down. Unhook the 2 tilt cylinders at buth ends, remove the 6 nuts that hold the drive on and carefully slide the drive ***. off the studs. Try not to pry on the housing between the two sections, the alumn.is soft and may dig the surface where the gasket goes. Look close and you will find two small notches you can use a screwdriver and ease it loose. The shift cable will unhook itself when it gets almost out. If you replace the gimbell bearing, it helps to use an alignment tool and driver. This makes it easier to get the shaft back in the spline in the flex plate. Make sure you grease the u joints and spline grease on the splines. It goes back together just as easy. Line up the shift with the slot and slide back on. You may have to turn the prop a little to mesh the spline. GOOD LUCK

 

[df909]

Re: Removing the outdrive 4.3L Alpha 1

Hmm...I might just give this a try. Thanks for all of your replys. Will it be a lot tougher if I don't use an alignment tool or are they fairly inexpensive? Is the steering cable easy to re-connect?

 

[flyer4ever]

Re: Removing the outdrive 4.3L Alpha 1

If you are going to own a boat like that, You need the alignment tool no question about it. You can find them on E-Bay for $50 or less. You will need this every time you remove the drive. Which should be every year. Anyway I'm not an expert but you'll learn tons around here. Welcome.

 

[df909]

Re: Removing the outdrive 4.3L Alpha 1

Well, I guess I'm buying one. I've already learning quite a big tinkering around this site and I'm pretty much like a toddler with my knowledge. Does anyone know of any good upholstery and fiberglass repair sites? I need to touch up the glass and there's a cushion loose. Thanks again.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Removing the outdrive 4.3L Alpha 1

Does anyone know of any good upholstery and fiberglass repair sites?

Ayuh,... There's None Better than the Restoration forum, Right here at iboats....

 

[system-f]

Re: Removing the outdrive 4.3L Alpha 1

If you know anyone that does machine work or owns and knows how to use a lathe the alignment tool is super easy for them to make. The machinist at my job cut one out of 304 stainless for me in about 20mins.

Here are the specs Don or Bond-O posted. Get a bar 24-36" long of the material you wish to use.

Here is what it looks like when completed.

 

[smithgun2009]

Re: Removing the outdrive 4.3L Alpha 1

The exhaust bellows is not really that critical then, right? Is there a recommended change out time on it? From what I have read the u-joint bellows is like every other year, except for the 280 drive.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Removing the outdrive 4.3L Alpha 1

Ayuh,... That's a Nice bar, but Waay to Short...Unless there's a threaded hole,+ a handle extension we can't see...

smithgun2009,....
The Exhaust bellows isn't Critical, No...
The Change out time is the day Before it rips...Or when you're changing the u-joint bellows, the day Before it rips...
It's the Impeller that's swapped at semi-anual intervels...
And,...
This thread is about Merc. Alphas, Not Volvos...

 

[df909]

Re: Removing the outdrive 4.3L Alpha 1

So I'm looking at the Merc manual for my drive. What is the shift shaft? This seems to be an important part of taking aprt & putting together so I want to make sure I understand what it is.

Thanks.

 

[ErieRon]

Re: Removing the outdrive 4.3L Alpha 1

So I'm looking at the Merc manual for my drive. What is the shift shaft? This seems to be an important part of taking aprt & putting together so I want to make sure I understand what it is.

Thanks.

Manual #6 for your drive...right? The shift shaft is what your lower shift cable engages to shift from forward/reverse. There is a little leg on the end that fits into the shift cable slide when reassembled. It must be in the forward position when removed and reinstalled. The procedure is very clear in manual #6.

 

[df909]

Re: Removing the outdrive 4.3L Alpha 1

Thanks for your help. I think I should be using manula #14 for my outdrive as it's a 1992 Generation II. I don't think I put the year in my original post so I guess I should include that from now on.

 

[ErieRon]

Re: Removing the outdrive 4.3L Alpha 1

You're right...manual 14 if it's a Gen II. Take a look at my signature...all the info is there for anyone to help out. Just a suggestion.

Working on those drives is not difficult. It just takes some desire and paying attention to detail. Lots of help here though if you get in a jam.

Good luck.