alpha one gasket question

[skinny1965]

so on my current boat when i pulled out the outdrive there was a ring (Gasket) around the round part that goes into the gimbal . my last boat didn't have this ring when I took it apart is it really important to be there ???

 

[achris]

Yes. A new one is part of the leg gasket kit. If the old one came out, it means the last person didn't follow the instructions and glue it in....

Chris.......

 

[skinny1965]

will it leak with out this gasket in
also how is it suppose to be installed properly

 

[achris]

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Is the glue really necessary or just to hold it in place when installing the drive?

 

[skinny1965]

i was just told by the place i bought the new seal not to glue it in
​

 

[Rick Stephens]

i was just told by the place i bought the new seal not to glue it in
​

A guys gotta do what a guys gotta do. Pick your path.

Me, I always glue it in so it won't be pushed crooked during leg installation and get pinched. What it says in the Merc manuals. In my early days I didn't and that seal was always getting messed up.

 

[Bt Doctur]

must have nor been a mercruiser dealer, if it becomes dis-lodged you will get water in the bellows.So follow the manual or follow the so called marine mechanic
your choice, your money

 

[achris]

i was just told by the place i bought the new seal not to glue it in
​

Is the glue really necessary or just to hold it in place when installing the drive?

:facepalm:

Agreed, it will cost you a couple of dollars and 3 minutes. Best leave that part out altogether!

Merc have been making and assembling these things for over 60 years. But I guess some fly-by-knight marine jockey knows better than 60+ years experience and countless thousands of drives installed.

Do as you wish, glue, no glue. Not my daddys' boat!

:facepalm:

Chris....

 

[JerryIrons]

If you glue it in, you don't have to worry about it shifting out of place in the process of putting a 75 lb piece of equipment with floppy u joints that just looks for an any excuse to be troublesome going back on.

 

[Johark53]

Don't mean to butt in I agree on both of what you're saying because it is such a critical gasket gasket sealer makes it much harder to clean even with the razor blade trying to clean it causes digs in the aluminum sanding it or filing would not be good also can you get build up if I may suggest I use Grease I have for years you got a perfect seal and the gasket Falls right off always replace with a new one

 

[Bt Doctur]

Almost all of my repair jobs start with the owner :
forgetting it, not installing it, simply placing it on the outdrive. Once dis-lodged water enters the bellows.The resulting damage is usually the gimbal bearing and U joints.Depending on the time spam and salinity the transom housing corrodes away where the clamp goes for the bellows.
The boats serviced with the ring glued in place with bellows adhesive or 3M Weatherstrip adhesive never have this problem.
Another area is the water inlet O ring. Dis-lodged or a poor seal can force water into the bellows area.
And over the years I have found lots of shortcuts to the repairs but not gluing the ring in place is not one of them

 

[Rick Stephens]

All you need to remove the sealant is a little laquer thinner. No scraping.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Is the glue really necessary or just to hold it in place when installing the drive?

​Didn't mean to start a debate.........was just asking a question.

 

[achris]

​Didn't mean to start a debate.........was just asking a question.

No debate. Just glue the damn thing in. Merc recommendation, experience recommendation (see BT comments).... But who am I to argue with a few days experience. I've only been doing this for about 30 years!