Exhaust tube or exhaust bellows

[jimrockireland]

I have a 1983 MCM228R (Serial# 6285627) and an "R" sterndrive (Serial# 6289715), I need to replace the U-joint bellows and thought I might replace the exhaust bellows at the same time. I noticed one of the main contributors to the forum said he would never install an exhaust bellows again. He would install the exhaust tube since it was easier to install than the bellows. I'm wondering if it would be advisable for me to replace the exhaust bellows with an exhaust tube? Is my set-up compatible with an exhaust tube? Looking at the picture of an exhaust tube I was wondering how you get the accordion action on the exhaust tube the same way the bellows expanded and contracted?

 

[GA_Boater]

An exhaust tube doesn't need the accordion effect to work. The tube is only attached to the gimbal assembly and the other end is not attached to the bell housing as with the exhaust bellows.

The tube can be louder than a bellows.

 

[stonyloam]

If the exhaust bellows is in decent shape there is no reason that it can't be reused.

 

[Bondo]

Is my set-up compatible with an exhaust tube?

Ayuh,... The tube will work just fine on yer rig,....

The exhaust bellows is wet, inside, 'n out,....
It just directs the exhaust into the drive to blow out the center of the prop,...

With the tube, when the drive is full down, the tube snubs into the exhaust port that the bellows attaches too,...
When ya trim up, or tilt up, the tube comes outa the port, so there might be atad louder sound, or not, dependin' on the amount of trim/ tilt,....
The exhaust still ends up in the prop wash, either way,...

 

[WOEISMEIGOTTA470]

I also have an Alpha one "R" drive, I use the tube style exhaust much easier to install. Probably a bit louder at idle, but not by much.

Here's a pic of it installed, as bondo said it's only installed on the transom housing, and the tube slides over the belhousing flange.

 

[jimrockireland]

Thanks for the advice. If the exhaust bellows needs replacing I'll go with the tube.

 

[enginesilo]

My exhaust bellow kept falling off on the Outdrive side so I just cut it short and it now acts like an exhaust tube. The motor is definitely much louder while under way but I'm guessing the actual exhaust tube seals better than eBay I have going on. Next time I do my bellows over I'm probably going to replace with an actual bellow.

 

[scoflaw]

If you want it to stay on, clean it real good with carb cleaner or similar, skip the bellows adhesive. Notice Merc doesn't use the glue on original application.