alpha one gen 2 exhaust bellows

[woodlecj]

Looking to buy a 1999 Chaparral 200 LE 4.3. In looking it over I noticed that it looks as though the exhaust bellows is not attached at the outdrive. See attached picture. Opinions please.
Thanks

 

[todhunter]

Can't tell from the pic - maybe it has an exhaust tube instead of a bellows? The exhaust tube won't be connected to the drive until the drive is lowered.

 

[woodlecj]

Can't tell from the pic - maybe it has an exhaust tube instead of a bellows? The exhaust tube won't be connected to the drive until the drive is lowered.

If you click on the picture and zoom in can you see it? Were exhaust tubes an aftermarket kit?

 

[Bt Doctur]

No, there available from mercruiser

 

[woodlecj]

No, there available from mercruiser

Let me ask again, is this normal to not have the exhaust bellows clamped to the outdrive? Isn't this supposed to seal off the exhaust and keep water out?

 

[achris]

Let me ask again, is this normal to not have the exhaust bellows clamped to the outdrive? Isn't this supposed to seal off the exhaust and keep water out?

Yes, no.

It is normal to have the exhaust bellows clamped at both ends (bell housing and gimbal housing), but it is NOT to keep water out. When you shut the engine down, it will flood anyway. It's to keep the exhaust noise down...

It's actually quite common for the bellows to slip off if it's been put on by someone who doesn't quite know what they are doing.

If the rest of the boat is good, take it for a test run, trim the drive UP a bit, point out the 'unusual' noise and get a grand knocked off.

Anyway, I've looked closely at your picture, and that's an exhaust tube, not a bellows. They were used on big blocks to reduce the ehxaust back pressure. And are TOTALLY unnecessary on the V6. The tube is usually put on by people who are too lazy to put the right bellows on properly. Personally, I hate the tubes, too noisy.

Chris........
P.S. DO NOT even think about parting with your dollars without a test run!!!!

 

[woodlecj]

Yes, no.

It is normal to have the exhaust bellows clamped at both ends (bell housing and gimbal housing), but it is NOT to keep water out. When you shut the engine down, it will flood anyway. It's to keep the exhaust noise down...

It's actually quite common for the bellows to slip off if it's been put on by someone who doesn't quite know what they are doing.

If the rest of the boat is good, take it for a test run, trim the drive UP a bit, point out the 'unusual' noise and get a grand knocked off.

Anyway, I've looked closely at your picture, and that's an exhaust tube, not a bellows. They were used on big blocks to reduce the ehxaust back pressure. And are TOTALLY unnecessary on the V6. The tube is usually put on by people who are too lazy to put the right bellows on properly. Personally, I hate the tubes, too noisy.

Chris........
P.S. DO NOT even think about parting with your dollars without a test run!!!!

Thanks so much Chris!

 

[j cat]

Looking to buy a 1999 Chaparral 200 LE 4.3. In looking it over I noticed that it looks as though the exhaust bellows is not attached at the outdrive. See attached picture. Opinions please.
Thanks

THE exhaust bellows should be installed. also the drive shaft bellows has to be inspected .
remove the stern drive ... inspect the rubber bellows. lower unit has corrosion
then the rubber bellows creates wear ..grease the U joints and grease the shaft .
used s/stainless clamps total ....some clamps have a iron screw...use a tack adhesive . take the stern drive cap top off and inspect the water in it

 

[achris]

THE exhaust bellows should be installed. also the drive shaft bellows has to be inspected .
remove the stern drive ... inspect the rubber bellows. lower unit has corrosion
then the rubber bellows creates wear ..grease the U joints and grease the shaft .
used s/stainless clamps total ....some clamps have a iron screw...use a tack adhesive . take the stern drive cap top off and inspect the water in it

If I was the seller, the answer for most of these requests would be 'no'. They are too invasive.

If he buys it, then yes, all of these and much much more...

Chris....

 

[nola mike]

If I was the seller, the answer for most of these requests would be 'no'. They are too invasive.

If he buys it, then yes, all of these and much much more...

Chris....

Checking gear oil/level and removing the top cap is pretty reasonable. As is checking compression.

 

[woodlecj]

Checking gear oil/level and removing the top cap is pretty reasonable. As is checking compression.

Thanks for all of the wisdom!

 

[tpenfield]

How 'bout the corrosion on the outdrive? any concerns about that?

Usually you find the exhaust 'tube' on the Bravo's , but Alphas could have them as well.

 

[woodlecj]

How 'bout the corrosion on the outdrive? any concerns about that?

Usually you find the exhaust 'tube' on the Bravo's , but Alphas could have them as well.

Well, I had reservations about that, but it seems light enough, doesn't seem to have eaten into the aluminum. I will paint the lower. Talking to the owners and a marina guy it was only ever in the same lake I plan to use it in. The anodes have been replaced. It is 23 years old.

 

[tpenfield]

Put a fresh set of anodes and keep an eye on the corrosion. Lots of folks in fresh water think they don't have to take care of their outdrives . . . but in fact they do.

 

[Scott06]

How 'bout the corrosion on the outdrive? any concerns about that?

Usually you find the exhaust 'tube' on the Bravo's , but Alphas could have them as well.

Well, I had reservations about that, but it seems light enough, doesn't seem to have eaten into the aluminum. I will paint the lower. Talking to the owners and a marina guy it was only ever in the same lake I plan to use it in. The anodes have been replaced. It is 23 years old.

It may have been a marina kept boat? That is a fair amount of corrosion for an alpha in fresh water. May want to see if the mercathode is working on it .

 

[achris]

And make sure they are the right anodes. Salt water and fresh water anodes are made of different materials....

Chris....

 

[j cat]

It may have been a marina kept boat? That is a fair amount of corrosion for an alpha in fresh water. May want to see if the mercathode is working on it .

if a fresh water marina you should inspect the anodes if it looks good.
now in a salt water marina we have to change all the anodes.. also remove the corrosion on the metal and use primer and lacquer paint.. I was looking up salt water out drives its a great anode wiping it out ..
a lot of saltwater boats use outboard motors ...

 

[woodlecj]

It may have been a marina kept boat? That is a fair amount of corrosion for an alpha in fresh water. May want to see if the mercathode is working on it .

Which one is the "Mercathode"?

 

[Scott06]

Yours may not have one but goes under bottom of gimbal housing where anode is by trim line block. https://www.bottomlinemarine.com/prod_cat/images/8m0148835_is.pdf

this is about corrosion protection

https://f01.justanswer.com/oldnewenglandmarine/837b972f-966f-47ab-b551-302010a83d0a_corrosion.pdf

probably doesnt have a mercathode and was marina kept where there was stray current in water. As chris mentioned magnesium is best anode for fresh water, i think stock merc is aluminum that is ok for fresh but is put on as it works both salt and fresh

 

[woodlecj]

Interesting read on the Mercathode concept. It was marina kept in fresh water. I doubt this boat was plugged into shore power, but others may have been. I used to have a bass boat and I would plug my trolling battery charger into A/C over night. Is that the kind of example that may create galvanic action in the water?