coupler and bellows question

[ewg302]

OK....tomorrow I start the project. I have a 98 searay 3.0 i/o. I will be replacing the coupler and doing the bellows/gimble bearing.

I have a new coupler that was given to me with the used outdrive I purchased. My question is, The coupler is triangular, but it does not have a grease fitting on it, will it still work on my gen II unit.

Also are there any secrets/shortcuts to changing the coupler? Obviously the drive is already out. What is the best way to do it? My plan was to unbolt the lags from the stringer, unbolt the rear mounts, disconnect anything in the way and lift and turn the motor to access the coupler without completely removing it. Will this work?

Also for the bellows/ gimble....Pull the hinge bolts and seperate the bellhousing? or is it possible to replace them while they are still bolted together?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated......my wife is breathing down my neck to finish this darn thing.........

Thanks.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: coupler and bellows question

Coupler should work fine, check that your splines align.
Your discription of the replacement is how I usually do it, unless I need the motor out of the way for other things.
Yes on the bellows proceedure as well, pay attention to placement of the hose clamp, it's got to be placed in the same position.
And explain to the wife that it's better to do it right than to do it twice.

 

[ewg302]

Re: coupler and bellows question

Thanks.....I was looking at the coupler pictures on line and they all have that collar that extends outward beyond the painted steel....Mine does not. it just stops at the painted steel. Looks like it has less area to insert the drive shaft into......will this be OK.

 

[ewg302]

Re: coupler and bellows question

Alright....heres where its at. I decided to pull the motor instead of swinging it.


As you can see the coupler is toast. I decided to pick up the correct coupler with the grease fitting. Should be straightforward bolton.

I am going to replace the riser while it is out. Of course on of the bolts heads broke off. NO JOB IS SIMPLE.......

I have a few questions if anyone is up to it.

It was very easy to pull the motor...except that the rear port side motor mount bolt will not come out. Any suggestion? Is this common, does it indicate a bad mount? The mounts look ok but I was hoping to replace all of the washer and hardware only....How hard is it to replace the mounts themselves? I assume they have to be pressed in and out of the flange.

Thanks again for the info and support...


Is it possible and easier to drive the gimbal bearing out from the inside, now that the motor is out of the way?

Any words of wisdom or inspiration are welcome.....tomorrow will be a long day.

As always thanks for the help and support......