alpha 1 exh. tube or bellows?

[stevenj]

Ready to order parts for my 1987 alpha 1, I see in a few posts the statement to go with a tube as opposed to the bellows on exh. any reason as to one rather than the other, Also in looking at parts on the net they are showing straight water intake hose,and not the preformed hose assy. any input as to ease of install of the straight hose.as for the hose on I-boats they show a 3/4 I.D. preformed for a bravo drive would it apply to the alpha? maybe I am
reading site wrong I any one has the sierra part # for the correct hose I would appreciate it.

going to order a transom seal kit, water pump Impeller kit , and water intake hose.going to search the web tonight for an alignment tool, will I not also need a tool or adapter to drive in the bearing, if some one has a link to a good all in one tool if made please post.

Steve

 

[jtybt]

Re: alpha 1 exh. tube or bellows?

Get the tube. It only needs to be attached at the transom end. At one time, the tube cost less than the bellows because of the simpler design. Capitalism at work.

Get the water hose for your drive. The length is VERY critical. 1/4" too long and it starts to kink, restricting water flow. Too short and it starts to pull off.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: alpha 1 exh. tube or bellows?

.as for the hose on I-boats they show a 3/4 I.D. preformed for a bravo drive would it apply to the alpha?

I don't know of a preformed hose for an alpha - just a straight hose that you cut to length. As mentioned above, you do want the correct hose for this application as it is stiffer and less prone to collapsing than simple heater hose.

will I not also need a tool or adapter to drive in the bearing, if some one has a link to a good all in one tool if made please post.

Are you talking about the gimbal bearing? They do make a driver for that, but I personally use the old bearing ring as a "driver" and tap on that. Works for me.

 

[gshldon]

Re: alpha 1 exh. tube or bellows?

I used the exhaust tube on mine when i replaced it and it works just fine and it gives it a nice low rumble sound. Also make sure you are replacing the ujoint bellows and also the shift bellows. As far as the driver goes, i just go to my local auto parts store and borrow their puller and installer, they borrow them out for free.

Good luck and happy boating

 

[wca_tim]

Re: alpha 1 exh. tube or bellows?

Tube, hands down

 

[cr2k]

Re: alpha 1 exh. tube or bellows?

You can pick up a combo tool on eBay. alignment, bearing driver.

Main diff with tube is sound. (loader)

 

[sleeper]

Re: alpha 1 exh. tube or bellows?

When you have a vented prop for better hole shot, does going to the exhaust tube instead of bellows keep exhaust from coming out the prop? I would guess the tube is still right across from the exhaust hole in the outdrive, but I am not sure if any exhaust still flows through the hub?

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: alpha 1 exh. tube or bellows?

here's a nice multi purpose tool:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ALIG...4761824QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

 

[wca_tim]

Re: alpha 1 exh. tube or bellows?

When you have a vented prop for better hole shot, does going to the exhaust tube instead of bellows keep exhaust from coming out the prop? I would guess the tube is still right across from the exhaust hole in the outdrive, but I am not sure if any exhaust still flows through the hub?

no problem. plenty of exhaust still going out the prop - most of it. I've tuned holeshot with vented props with exhaust tube and it worked just fine. I've also read somewhere that they're good for a few horsepower in some applications.

the three jaw slide hammer can usually be "rented" (full refund on return here) from the local name your chain auto store, and the alignment / driver tool shown above is a nice one and very much like I have. I've driven several gimbal bearings in without a driver and it was definately doable, but is easier with the driver...

 

[livin4real]

Re: alpha 1 exh. tube or bellows?

Sorry, bumping this one up with a question. I just replaced all the bellows on my alpha 1 gen 1 and went with the tube for the exhaust after reading this thread. I'm just curious about the "openess" of the tube now that I have it on. When the drive is fully down it is just even with the exhaust hole, there's no other way to put it on, just has me a little worried going from a sealed bellow to this open tube. What keeps water from coming in the exhaust and into the engine? Forgive me if it's a stupid question, it's been a long two days changing out the bellows and gimble bearing and I'm on hour 30 of being awake lol.
Thanks,
Brian

 

[Bondo]

Re: alpha 1 exh. tube or bellows?

Forgive me if it's a stupid question,

Ayuh,... That whole cavity is Under/ Full of water, anytime the boat is in the water with the drive down..

 

[livin4real]

Re: alpha 1 exh. tube or bellows?

Thank you, after getting some sleep it made alot more sense :redface:

 

[scutly]

Re: alpha 1 exh. tube or bellows?

is the choice for exhaust tube over exhaust bellows only available for alpha 1 drives and not gen 2 drives? reason i ask is that i looked at a boat today with a gen 2 drive that had a torn exhaust bellows and the owner said that that didn't matter, it just was a bit louder and a lot of guys just run what he called cheater tubes. i can only find these on the web for alpha 1 drives.

 

[John_S]

Re: alpha 1 exh. tube or bellows?

is the choice for exhaust tube over exhaust bellows only available for alpha 1 drives and not gen 2 drives? reason i ask is that i looked at a boat today with a gen 2 drive that had a torn exhaust bellows and the owner said that that didn't matter, it just was a bit louder and a lot of guys just run what he called cheater tubes. i can only find these on the web for alpha 1 drives.

I think it is the same part number but would have to check. The one I have to install on my Gen II is Quicksilver #78458A 1.

I'd take a very careful look at the U-joint bellows. If they neglected the exhaust, a fair chance the haven't bothered w/u-joint.