1973 Mercruiser drive 3605797 preload pin or not?

[Campfire]

Hi guys,

I’m tearing into a boat for the first time. My exhaust bellows ripped wide open on my free (yeah right) 1973 Cobalt with a 165hp in-line 6.

Since I’m going to be doing that, I thought I’d replace all 3 bellows, install a new water pump kit, redo the gimbal housing, change out the necessary fluids, etc.

I’m confused as to which water pump kit to order. I typed the serial number into a couple of sites and nothing comes up. I don’t know if my drive has a preloaded pin or not.

So my initial plan is to order a OEM Mercruiser or Sierra Transom bellows kit and a water pump kit. Looks like I need a gear lube pump and oil. I think the trim is hydraulic so I will need to refill that. I think I need the transom bellows kit that ends in 97T1.

Anything else you can think of? All the parts warehouses by me are closed due to COVID19 so I’m stuck doing internet ordering which is challenging as I really don’t know what I’m doing or what parts I should order.

i have the Seloc and Clymes manuals. I’ve been watching some YouTube videos on how to pull the drive and on how to overhaul the gimbal housing.

Any parts/supplies I’m forgetting?

Any ideas which water pump kit I need? What about OEM Mercruiser vs Sierra?

Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... Odds are quite high that it has the pre-load pin, 'n if original, has the impeller pump with the plastic water feed screw, aka: the older style,......

 

[Campfire]

It’s a preload pin drive. Just ordered the parts and the dealer was able to verify off the serial number. I’m guessing I’ll be back later with questions as this will be my first try at this. Thanks!

 

[nola mike]

Whatcha doing to the gimbal housing? While you're in there, you might want to make sure your shift cable is in good shape. Disconnect at the engine, and make sure that there's barely any resistance. With the drive off, there should be no resistance.

 

[Campfire]

Very timely reply! I assume I need to order the 91-12037 socket to remove the shift cable on a pre- alpha drive? It doesn’t specify that it’s for “pre-alpha”. I ordered a new shift cable already. The engine was cutting out sometimes when going through neutral and I read that can be a symptom of a sticky shift cable.

I don’t know what I’m doing to the gimbal housing yet. I’m replacing the gimbal bearing. The boat leaks a bit so I thought maybe that gimbal housing might be a source for that leak as I see old “caulking” around the perimeter of the housing where it attaches to the transom.

 

[Bondo]

Very timely reply! I assume I need to order the 91-12037 socket to remove the shift cable on a pre- alpha drive? It doesn’t specify that it’s for “pre-alpha”. I ordered a new shift cable already. The engine was cutting out sometimes when going through neutral and I read that can be a symptom of a sticky shift cable.

Naw,.... Ya cut the old one off, 'n use a regular 9/16" deep socket,.....

On the new cables, the white piece unscrews, so it can be installed with the same deep socket,....