Bellows question. 1977 140Mercruiser stern drive

[Snakecan2]

OK, new to this site, been stalking for a while. But finally got a little time to try to get the boat ready for the water. fresh water for now. not sure if i would take it salt water. but if i have it up to a condition that wont cost me an arm and a leg i might just.

Anyways. We inherited a 1977 Ebko, 140 Mercruiser, stern drive from our uncle ( boat has been passed around the family since brand new). Uncle was a professional race car driver so engine is in top shape. I think completely rebuilt back in 1997 with only 12 hours on motor since then, new exhaust manifold and few other things with the exhuast. And a mallory ignition system. .

waiting on carb kit, but had engine running till what ever junk in carb stuck float. other basic maintenance already in the works.

Did notice that the upper bellow had a tear in it. Reviewing service manual, looks like the u-joint bellow.?... Is that correct?

i do have some edpm tape that would bond to the bellow and create an excellent patch job. But no idea if the bellow just torn recently or if it had been run that way. I have not looked at u-joints to see condition, and just because of the age of the boat, seams like if i have to pull the lower unit off, may be good to replace u-joints and possibly the gimble bearing and might as well do exhaust bellow while i am at it..

Any advice or quick fixes.

any other items to look at or seriously consider replacing if i do have to open this thing all the way up. best guess boat hasn't seen water in over 20 years.05/95 last oil change with 12 hours on motor since then. garage/warehoused all the time.

Would like to get boat to the lake to at least get the little one out for the summer. I guess in the morning, I might answer part of my question and take a better look at u-joints, but with carb torn apart, wont get it fired up again to check lower end while in gear.

Sorry for the long story, but i remember the days in the bays or ocean having to get towed in. so don't care to have that done if i can avoid it..

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bondo]

i do have some edpm tape that would bond to the bellow and create an excellent patch job.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Don't even Think about it,....

The drive should be pulled for inspection, 'n service, Every year,....

Bellows are Replaced,.... Not taped up,..... yer boat can sink with a holed u-joint bellows,....

 

[khe]

There not a patch job that I would trust. A damaged U-joint bellows will allow water to leak into the bilge and can also damage the gimbal bearing. You need to pull the drive and inspect the gimbal bearing. Replace it if there is any roughness when you rotate it with your fingers.

The next thing to do is to replace the U-joint bellows. Inspect the exhaust and shift cable bellows as well. At 40 years old, the prudent thing would be to replace all the bellows. If the shift cable bellows are damaged, water will leak into the bilge.

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Like Bondo stated, torn u-joint bellows will sink your boat. So unless you want to see if your floatation foam will keep your boat from going to the bottom, you need to change them. The job itself isn't complicated, but it can be frustrating working in such a confined space. You'll need the special wrist pin socket, bellows expander, bearing puller with slide hammer, and a bunch of patience.

 

[Snakecan2]

Thanks for the input.. been reading the service manual.. and guess pulling the lower unit off is not as bad as i initially thought. and yes i did read somewhere about pulling lower end yearly for inspection and lubricating items as needed.

 

[Snakecan2]

the fun part is tracking down the correct parts since there is no easy source to punch in boat info and then search for appropriate part. feel like in the dark ages sorting through catelogs, etc..