Bell Housing Hinge Pin Repair - Bravo 1

[FuelishBehavior]

My starboard hinge pin came out but all threads were galled beyond the realm of resuse and I ended up beating the port side hinge pin completely out as that the threads completely stripped. My intent is to repair the bell housing using a repair kit specifically for the bell housing by drilling to 41/64" and using a 5/8"-18 heli-coil. Does anyone have any experience with this and any pointers. I like doing things the right way but a new bell housing is nearly $500 and the heli-coil kit is $60. All this to repair a bad shift cable bellows. I now know why boat mechanics charge so much!

 

[dubs283]

Re: Bell Housing Hinge Pin Repair - Bravo 1

if you have installed a heli-coil before the process is just the same

be sure to cleanly break off the tab when the coil is installed that way the pin will seat fully and cleanly

b.t.w. you do not need to remove the bell housing to change the shift cable

 

[Don S]

Re: Bell Housing Hinge Pin Repair - Bravo 1

When you heli-coil it, you have to be perfectly straight or you will never get the pivot pins in. If you have to force it, just remember with the trim and the turning and the pressure on it, that it's also your steering. If it breaks, you are in for a ride you may not like.

 

[FuelishBehavior]

Re: Bell Housing Hinge Pin Repair - Bravo 1

Don, I assume if I level the bell housing on a drill press that I should be okay then. I hope.

 

[FuelishBehavior]

Re: Bell Housing Hinge Pin Repair - Bravo 1

Dubs, I was changing the shift cable bellows. I believe I have to remove bell housing for that right?

 

[Don S]

Re: Bell Housing Hinge Pin Repair - Bravo 1

Don, I assume if I level the bell housing on a drill press that I should be okay then. I hope.

I wouldn't assume that at all. Both sides have to be in alignment.

If I was you, I would be looking for a good used part.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Bell Housing Hinge Pin Repair - Bravo 1

I believe I have to remove bell housing for that right?

If you have service manual #28, shift cable replacement starts on 4a-22 and only the drive needs to be removed; not bell housing.

Mark

 

[FuelishBehavior]

Re: Bell Housing Hinge Pin Repair - Bravo 1

 

[FuelishBehavior]

Re: Bell Housing Hinge Pin Repair - Bravo 1

I thought I would upload photos of the finished product. I used a mill/drill machine to true up the gimbal housing and then drilled out the bad threads with a 41/64" bit. I then slowly re-tapped the holes with the tap provided in the repair kit and then turned in the stainless steel heli-coil using the supplied tool that starts it into the hole and releases onces it's in the proper depth. The finish product seems to be a perfect repair. However, we will know when I re-install the housing onto the ring.