Recent content by CayugaCobalt

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    Is pulling engine mandatory or just convenient or overkill

    Thanks, but as per Don's MUST HAVE Tech Info for the DIYer... the gimbal housing is what is fastened to the transom and connects w inner ransom plate on the inside of transom. I reckon this is almost never replaced. But I Busted a u -joint and it grenaded my bellows mounting flange. The...
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    Is pulling engine mandatory or just convenient or overkill

    If one has to replace the gimbal housing, does it make sense to first pull the engine to be able to detach and then install new gimbal housing? In this case its a 1997 7.4L with a Bravo 3. The engine is pretty tight to the transom; maybe 4" gap in some spots.
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    Installing Bravo3 Sterndrive

    I was recently in your shoes, in the coupler but couldnt get the last inch. There is good alignment and there is great alignment. You need great alignment. I put alignment tool into coupler and then gave tool a hit with a rubber mallet N,S,E and West. This improved alignment. As mentioned...
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    busted bellows mounting flange

    Thanks. I saw this. I dont like that you have to trim the ears on the bell housing to make room for the now larger u joint bellows. Also not sure i have enough flange to connect to without some amount of reconstruction. I will know more tomorrow when I pull it all apart.
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    busted bellows mounting flange

    Thanks. Will have pics soon. I too am concerned about heat soak from welding, as I would like to leave my water pick up tube attached to transom. I can easily remove and redo gear oil line. What other items back there are vulnerable to heat soak? Guess I should pull gimbal bearing out if...
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    busted bellows mounting flange

    Anybody have experience rebuilding the round U joint bellows mounting flange? busted u-joint hand-grenaded my flange. Welding, brazing, JB welding? Obviously the surest way to do it is buy new or used gimbal housing but that is a TON of work and expense.
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    Mercruiser trim up and trailer up non functional.

    Could be busted wire inside shift handle. My up button never worked but I thought that was because I had a busted wire on the sender down near the bellows. But with new sender, same issue, up button alone does not work and read online here that the Quicksilver 3000 shifter I have is known to...
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    Clever way to dry dock test new bellows for leaks

    THANKS. I see, simple geometry. I had in mind some video of an outdrive running in a portable tub but that water level doesnt reach top of bellows . I have bought a lot parts online nowadays instead of driving 1.5hr roundtrip to go to marina for parts. Sad reality of online convenience.
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    Clever way to dry dock test new bellows for leaks

    Interesting. Battery operated moisture sensors are widely available, and in a marina one might have wifi signal needed to receive signal on phone. The trick would be permanently mounting inside U joint bellow space; location, adhesive???
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    Clever way to dry dock test new bellows for leaks

    Thanks. This was a hypothetical question for us who live far from the water and are working in our driveways and cant get to the water immediately due to whatever reason. (truck, trailer, tires, time etc issues). But we want to test the bellows before driving X hrs to said body of water just to...
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    Clever way to dry dock test new bellows for leaks

    I thought Gimbal would hold water from getting into boat compared to shift cable opening. There is a drain hole near the gimbal that connects bilge to u joint bellows? I am unaware of that.
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    Clever way to dry dock test new bellows for leaks

    1000s of us have replaced our bellows ( ujoint and shift) and then prayed it wont leak. What is the technique/rigging used to test out either/both new bellows in the driveway for us shadetree guys? I did search this forum without luck for answer. I imagine there might be a custom type pop-up...
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    If Brand New OEM Sealed Gimbal Bearing got wet for 2 days is it toast?

    30-879194A02 installed new. Allegedly, there was leak in U joints bellows at launch, and was not removed from freshwater lake for 2 days. I was not there. Do I need to replace again this sealed greaseless gimbal bearing if it spins nice and easy? The 4th of July countdown clock is ticking...
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    Bravo 3 Sterndrive Reinstall- shift linkage wont come out to open

    wiggling up and down one the link was the secret for me. popped out
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    Bravo 3 Sterndrive Reinstall- shift linkage wont come out to open

    I took to top cover/lid off the drive and the gears looked ok; nothing unusual. I had drained the outdrive before I pulled it off and planned to reinstall outdrive still empty of fluid as it would be a little lighter.
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