Do I need bellows adhesive?

[matt167]

I'm finally putting the gimball and drive back on my Starcraft ( '71, 2.5L ) and I do have the 3M trim adhesive but I don't want a mess really.. I didn't take it apart.

also is the shift cable end the same on an Alpha gen 2 with a 4.3L? reason is I know I'm missing the cable end, and I happen to have a parts boat.

 

[matt167]

Ok so the guy I got the boat from put the Bellows on the gimball housing first which I know is wrong, and there looks like a plastic lock ring holding it in from the inside? Also the water hose is collapsing because he did not use the right kind of hose, so I'll buy OEM or Sierra

I'm going to grab all new bellows and do it right since I don't really trust the ones there even though they are new, I'm not 100% they are for this drive.. I know the serial break is '72 but my boat is a '71 and the gimball has a ridge, or more like nubs that hold the u joint bellows on. I can't find the serial number, it's probably painted over. It looks like a transom seal kit has all, but the u joint bellows show different part numbers.. Does it really matter?

 

[72 Chesapeake]

I would use the bellow adhesive for proper adhesion and seal. I did bellows myself for the first time last year and it took me 2 attempts. I had one tear and another pull lose because the glue was still wet. Second time let the glue dry tacky and tighten clamps and was good. I learned the hard way but I know for next time.

 

[72 Chesapeake]

Mine is a 72 MC-1 and the bell housing and gimbal have the nubs to hold it on. When i ordered bellows it specified with ridge or without in the bellows, got the one without ridge as it called for. Pretty sure the ones with the ridge were later and the bravo drives.