Bellows kit

not enuf toys

Chief Petty Officer
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Feb 14, 2011
Messages
428
Re: Bellows kit

replaced in fall 09 - I will pull that part then as well

just for my info, what is the failure point for the shift cable? does it freeze up? seems like simple technology and not sure why the constant replacement?
 

thumpar

Admiral
Joined
Jun 21, 2007
Messages
6,138
Re: Bellows kit

The outer casing can get a groove in it and that reduces the travel of the cable so you can't get fully into reverse or forward.
 

not enuf toys

Chief Petty Officer
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Feb 14, 2011
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428
Re: Bellows kit

gotcha - puts drag on the inner cable and instead of moving through the casing, it binds and just pushes the casing
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Re: Bellows kit

The main reason I have replaced shift cables is for water ingress. Usually on older models, when they had the small seal on the upper shift shaft. Since the introduction of the upgraded seal I see a lot less failed cables. The cable on my previous engine (1994 4.3LX) is still original, engine has almost 2000 hours. The newer cables also have a teflon inner liner which seems to make them last longer as well as slide a lot easier and smoother (another good reason to stay with OEM)....

Chris.....
 

not enuf toys

Chief Petty Officer
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Feb 14, 2011
Messages
428
Re: Bellows kit

4 hours tonight

3 Bellows, water pickup line, oil line, gimbal bearing, trim limit/sending switches, lower shift cable and Bell house installed.
Tomorrow - install outdrive, adjust switches, adjust shift cable remount prop.
 

flipbro

Master Chief Petty Officer
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Feb 8, 2013
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830
Re: Bellows kit

So what kit did you go with oem or after?
 

not enuf toys

Chief Petty Officer
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Feb 14, 2011
Messages
428
Re: Bellows kit

Oem

Fought with the exhaust bellow a little, but every thing else fit well

Finished up today. Hoping for a sea trial tomorrow
 

not enuf toys

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Feb 14, 2011
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428
Re: Bellows kit

pulled the boat out this morning to head to the lake. exhaust bellow was detached from the outdrive side - damn it
the outdrive sits up a hair when in the garage and I am sure it was just enough tug on in while the adhesive was setting to let it pull loose.

spent an hour this morning trying to attach it without removing the drive with no luck. headed to the lake anyhow

everything ran fine after the bellow job so that's a plus

decided on the water that I would just pull the exhaust bellow and go with a tube - will order it tonight.

*** who is running an exhaust tube instead of a bellow? I hate to do things half assed, but in this case I think this may be my exception
 

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,079
Re: Bellows kit

pulled the boat out this morning to head to the lake. exhaust bellow was detached from the outdrive side - damn it
the outdrive sits up a hair when in the garage and I am sure it was just enough tug on in while the adhesive was setting to let it pull loose.

spent an hour this morning trying to attach it without removing the drive with no luck. headed to the lake anyhow

everything ran fine after the bellow job so that's a plus

decided on the water that I would just pull the exhaust bellow and go with a tube - will order it tonight.

*** who is running an exhaust tube instead of a bellow? I hate to do things half assed, but in this case I think this may be my exception

Ayuh,.... There's virtually No difference,....
 

not enuf toys

Chief Petty Officer
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Feb 14, 2011
Messages
428
Re: Bellows kit

thanks bondo

i believe the tubes were first created for a back pressure issue with the larger motors - is that correct?

with the tube does the exhaust fully route through the leg and out the prop? or does it still leak a little?
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Re: Bellows kit

It does leak a little, and yes, larger engines, less back pressure... I continue to use the bellows, and have never had a problem with them falling off. Don't use adhesive, but you do need to use the special tool, and do it with the drive off... Special tool cost quite a bit from Merc, but I built mine, from plans on here, for $3....

Chris.......
 

not enuf toys

Chief Petty Officer
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Feb 14, 2011
Messages
428
Re: Bellows kit

achris - i haven't bought the tube yet...stress yet

not sure if i fell like pulling the drive again and replacing the gasket to do so. however, i would prefer to use the exhaust bellow truthfully. the first time around was bad enough for the exhaust bellow but i am certain the right tool would make it much easier. Do you have a link to the plans on here? i would like to see them and see if they will work well enough that i know the bellows will stay on.
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Re: Bellows kit

... Do you have a link to the plans on here? ....

Just go into the stickies. (----------'Adult only'----------). Once that opens up you'll have a list of links. One of them is 'Homemade tools'. There are a few in there, or click on 'Mercruiser information', scroll down a bit and you find a list of 3 exhaust bellows tools. I used the plans from the middle one....

Chris....
 
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