Bellows replacement. Frustrated!!!

[j2ky2k]

Hi all, this will be somewhat a long post, sorry. 1988 Wellcraft 170 classic, alpha one, 3.0.
Boat began taking on water, not much but enough to be concerned about. Inspected and found exhaust and shift bellows bad. Bought bellows kit which included gimble bearing. Disassembled and decided to also replace lower unit water pump, lower shift cable and u-joints while in there. Found what I would describe as a "flapper" just laying in the exhaust stream. What is it and where did it come from? Also, new gimble bearing doesn't seem to have a lube hole. Is this a sealed unit that position doesn't really matter? Another thing, the bellows kit came with 2 different exhaust bellows, one smooth, one ribbed. One better than the other? I have researched utube and such, all it has done is confuse me. Is there a definitive site for answers that I'm not finding? Any help is greatly appreciated. I've been an auto mechanic by trade most of my life but boat info is MUCH harder to come by. Thanks again for any help!

 

[Rick Stephens]

Gimbal bearings are pretty much all sealed these days. Nice! They last longer.

Sounds like you lost a shutter. This came from the top of your exhaust, right below the elbow. It stops water from entering the engine through the exhaust when you are clipping along and chop power. Stern goes down, wake wave catches up and water goes up in exhaust into the engine. Bad. When you replace a shutter you will need the gasket for the elbow to manifold. Get OEM for that.

Exhaust bellows won't let water into your boat. Use the one that matches what you took out. I've never used a smooth one... so not sure why it exists. Other wiser heads will probably explain.

Rick

 

[Pete104]

The flapper is the result of a previous overheat. It's located at top of the exhaust pipe bolted to the gimbal hsg. The only shortcut is to pull the exhaust riser or riser/manifold if you got arms & enough room. The gimbal brgs are better with grease their born with and should have plug for replacing the original grease fitting. And placement is not an issue. You originally had the exhaust tube that was connected to the gimbal & bell hsg. Use the ribbed one, she'll love ya for it!

Yeah, it's confusing but just like a good auto tech, patience is the key!

Any better sight? Everybody gets pointed right here. There is alot of talent and experience on i-boats so make yourself at home!

 

[roc127390]

I have experienced some of the same things as you. The flapper is from the exhaust farther upstream toward the engine. I found not only the rubber but also the metal reinforcement as well. You need to look below the exhaust elbow in the engine compartment. You must remove the lower rubber exhaust connector and the flappers should be there. You will probably find just the hinge left there. As far as the exhaust bellows I believe the one without the convolutions is available as an easier part to install than the usual one with the convolutions. I did the one with the convolutions. I found it tough to pull on because I made my own bellows expander tool rather than buying the "special" Mercruiser tool. If I had to do it again I'd buy the tool.

 

[j2ky2k]

Thanks guys, I'll try to get further into things this weekend and follow up on the flapper, otherwise I feel like things are on track. Nice to have the back up of people with experience to ask

 

[j2ky2k]

OK guys, tell me if I'm wrong but it looks to me like the shutters can be accessed from the top of the tube if the hose is taken off. Am I correct?

 

[Bondo]

OK guys, tell me if I'm wrong but it looks to me like the shutters can be accessed from the top of the tube if the hose is taken off. Am I correct?

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... That's correct,....

You'll have to pull the riser off the manifold to get the boot off, so get that gasket too,.....

 

[j2ky2k]

Thanks Bondo, took it off tonight, simple enough. Ordered parts but iboats only had 1 of the bushings. I'll try to find them local if I can. Fought the lower unit 3/4" water hose tonight too. I won!!! Lol. Just have to wait on rest of parts now.

 

[KJM]

i recently installed a gimbal bearing as well and also thought it had no grease hole, then I realized that you have to turn the outside ribbed cover around until the gap in it lines up with the grease hole that's hiding underneath it. then make sure that is lined up with the grease inlet hole from the grease zirk. the bellows can be a pain, I especially had a hard time getting the lower shift cable to start thru the cable bellows. had to just nip them with a pliers and pull them on that way with lots of lubrication. incidently when installing the lower shift cable you don't need the special extra long socket to screw the end into the bell housing as the white plastic sleeve on the end simply threads on and off the brass cable end. just unsrew it with a pliers, careful not to crush it, and then screw in the brass section with a regular deep socket and then replace the plastic sleeve. as well use automotive u joints as they are a lot cheaper, the correct part numbers for various brands are posted in the adults only section I believe.

 

[Rick Stephens]

I've never had to clip the end of a shift bellow. Always used OEM, which usually are better rubber. I spray a little Slick50 on the cable and it slides right through.

 

[KJM]

sorry for the misunderstanding, I didn;t actually cut off the end of the bellows. I just used the pliers to hold one edge while pushing the cable thru.

 

[Rick Stephens]

No problem. I wondered how it would seal if it got clipped. That particular exercise gets lots easier the next time you do it.

Rick

 

[j2ky2k]

KJM, the one I installed did not have the hole to line up, I rotated the sleeve and looked, it's a sealed unit but thanks for the input