Exhaust Bellows 3.0 cobra

[Randy stoner]

These things sure are a money pit. I had the outdrive completely rebuilt two years ago and with some bad luck with a new engine and subsequent replacement engine i have about 10 our max on the outdrive. I was told the exhaust bellows was replaced however i noticed today there is a hole in the bottom of it. When storing it through the winter i had the outdrive in the down position and only a week ago did i move it up to start getting it ready for this year. I cant say for sure if it was replaced as the water coming out of it has alwasy seemed to come from that part however Im pondering replacing it.

How big a job is it? Can it be done without removing the outdrive. Does anyone have any hints, suggestion, video or prayers to help me with this. The only OMC dealer around i have had a really bad experience with and in other posts here you would understand why i wont go back. I really dont see an issue with it with the leak as far as running in the water but if it was meant to have one, i would like it the way it should be.

Thanks again, you all have helped me with other issues

Randy

 

[Renken2000Classic]

I bought my 4.3 Cobra with the exhaust bellows ripped pretty bad. I drove it like that for a while, then I had a new one on there briefly, but now have a single flapper instead (long story).

Don't think you can change one w/o removing the drive, but not 100% sure about that.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...... Don't the OMC, 'n some of the Volvo exhaust bellows come with slits/ holes in 'em, when new,..??

 

[Lou C]

Yes the Cobras are slit on the bottom to reduce exhaust back pressure at idle speed.

 

[Randy stoner]

It’s a single hole/slit in mine and water comes out. This is a 1991 cobra

 

[bruceb58]

Totally normal.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Drain hole/slit is normal

 

[68 - 390]

I’m in the same situation my exhaust bellows are torn badly. I have the 2.3L OMC and was wondering if I have to pull the stern drive off to replace it

 

[Randy stoner]

I looked on line at videos of OMC cobras running and they all look like that. So i guess its normal to have a slit or hole in the center

 

[68 - 390]

I looked on line at videos of OMC cobras running and they all look like that. So i guess its normal to have a slit or hole in the center

Do I have to pull the stern drive off to change it ?

 

[Bondo]

Do I have to pull the stern drive off to change it ?

Ayuh,..... It certainly makes it much easier,....

Donno how you could pull the aft end into place, with the drive on,.....
'n if the exhaust bellows is gone, chances are great, that so are the others,....

 

[68 - 390]

Ayuh,..... It certainly makes it much easier,....

Donno how you could pull the aft end into place, with the drive on,.....
'n if the exhaust bellows is gone, chances are great, that so are the others,....

Thank you for your reply. Once I receive the new part I’ll keep you posted how it goes.

 

[Lou C]

Yes you have to pull the drive the tail end of it is held in the pivot housing with a snap ring you can only access with the drive off. For that reason they never pop off like Mercruisers though.

 

[68 - 390]

Yes you have to pull the drive the tail end of it is held in the pivot housing with a snap ring you can only access with the drive off. For that reason they never pop off like Mercruisers though.

Thank you so much for your reply. I'll keep you posted how things go.

 

[Scott Danforth]

keep in mind like Bondo stated, if the exhaust bellows is bad, the u-joint bellows is also bad. make sure to get a complete bellows kit. While at it, also get an impeller kit (super easy on a cobra)

 

[Lou C]

When you do the D/S bellows on the Cobra, note that the bellows is asymmetrical; the side with more folds goes down, which helps it to not crack from being tilted up. Put the clamp for the screw between the 1:00-2:00 position. I have found that the OEM bellows last at least 10 years if stored down.

 

[68 - 390]

keep in mind like Bondo stated, if the exhaust bellows is bad, the u-joint bellows is also bad. make sure to get a complete bellows kit. While at it, also get an impeller kit (super easy on a cobra)

Great call. I’ll order parts once I have it apart. I did order new impeller kit too. So nice it’s on the back of the drive vs having to drop the leg to do it.

 

[68 - 390]

When you do the D/S bellows on the Cobra, note that the bellows is asymmetrical; the side with more folds goes down, which helps it to not crack from being tilted up. Put the clamp for the screw between the 1:00-2:00 position. I have found that the OEM bellows last at least 10 years if stored down.

Thank you for this. Much appreciated.

 

[bruceb58]

Great call. I’ll order parts once I have it apart. I did order new impeller kit too. So nice it’s on the back of the drive vs having to drop the leg to do it.

Make sure you buy OEM u-joint bellows...not aftermarket.

 

[68 - 390]

Well I got it all back together over the weekend thank you all for your help and advice. Ended up burning up my water pump housing, don't think I had enough water pressure going through my muffs. Didn't get it to prime also forgot to grease the impeller too - so ordered new stuff - my bad.... lesson learned there.