Bellows And Impeller ?

[PINESOL]

i recently bought my 1986 beachcraft w/4cyl omc cobra sterndrive ...
i was talking to the second owner which his uncle was the first owner ..
i have this boat running like a champ and it is in great shape .
my question is they cant remember the last time the bellows or the impeller was replaced .... should i take on these obvious maintenence items before summer or should i just leave it ... again the boat is running perfect ... i would hate to screw something up before our first summer on the water ... i know the impeller should get replaced ... but the bellows still appears to be in good shape ... no water in the drive oil and no signs of abuse to this boat at all ... rubber is all plyable .. leave it ? or replace it ?

 

[Robj]

Re: Bellows And Impeller ?

I would change them. Not doing so can be much more expensive in the long run.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[BAYLINER185]

Re: Bellows And Impeller ?

As the above poster said but if you really dont see any cracks or dry rot and the rubber is pretty stout you may be ok for another year.

My service center just looked at my new cruser (93) and pressed the bellows with her finger and she said these are good!

So if you give it a press with your finger and it bounces back and feels solid you might be ok. Just look it over real good and see if there are any cracks or dry rot.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bellows And Impeller ?

All of thats well and good BUT you are not getting any service to the ujoints and inspecting the gimbal bearing.
The whole job can be done in a day,pull the drive,service ujoints,replace bellows and do the nuetral shift cable adjustment.Stuff that shoulf be done yearly anyway except the bellows....3 to 5 years on them.The impeller is easy on a Cobra.

Get a factory OMC service manual,not a Clymers or Seloc.It will be the best money you could spend.
If you can't find an original manual send me a PM and i'll hook you up...

Also Ebasicpower sells the Cobra transom service kit,bellows gaskets and all.

 

[Robj]

Re: Bellows And Impeller ?

My philosophy with a new used boat, when you do not know, or unsure of the maintenance history is to go through the whole thing. Check and/or change all the wear items such as bellows, water pump, gimble bearings, u joints, leg oil etc. That way you will not get any surprises, like you boat taking on water due to a failed bellows.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[PINESOL]

Re: Bellows And Impeller ?

im sold .... i will go through it all ... just for peace of mind ....
are there any tricks to doing the gimbal bearing and bellows i should know ?
and i may take you up on that factory manual gary .. i have the seloc now and the range of models and years is so wide spread it cant be as specific as i like . ive worked for toyota and lexus for 15 years . its typical for aftermarket manuals not to cover everything ..

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bellows And Impeller ?

Here is a link for the manual.I had the exact same one and give it away with my other boat when i sold it.That manual is great,colored wiring diagrams,all the shift adjustments,any info needed.Worth every penny...

Oh,If you buy it tell the seller Gary in NC sent ya...


"http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1986-OMC-COBRA-STERN-DRIVE-ENGINE-REAL-SERVICE-MANUAL_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ26453QQihZ010QQitemZ200168542124#ebayphotohosting"