Gimble Housing

[REM 6824]

Hello Everyone,

My summer project has been a 1989 Baretta Sucess 200 4.3L with a Cobra Stern Drive. My question is about the Gimble housing itself.
The lower anode has 2 slotted holes that match up to 2 round holes in the gimble housing. The holes in the housing appear to be right below the exhaust bellow jacket. are these holes suppose to be open into the exhaust chamber of the housing? (Meaning does ehaust come out thru these holes as well as in the bellow hose itself).

I am trying to determine why my boat is taking on water. I is definately not coming from the motor as the bilge stays dry while running the motor on land hooked up to a water supply. While in the water it appears to be coming in from the area around where the ehaust y pipe connects to the gimble housing.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Don S]

Re: Gimble Housing

Yes, they are called idle relief ports. The relieve back pressure from the exhaust at idle.

 

[REM 6824]

Re: Gimble Housing

Thanks Don,

Any ideas on the water leak?

Rob

 

[REM 6824]

Re: Gimble Housing

I did have the boat on the water for about 3 hours last weekend. I had the leave the bilge pump running which did keep up with the water that was leaking in. Just wondering what the possible causes could be so I can get it/them fixed.

 

[Don S]

Re: Gimble Housing

The only way to find a leak is to look and listen for it. Don't forget, water from above will accumulate in the low spots.

 

[REM 6824]

Re: Gimble Housing

I removed the rear seats, engine cover and riser, took boat yo lake and found water is comining in thru the gimble housing and spilling over into the bilge area. Looks like i will need to remove the outdrive and engine so that i can replace the gimble housing gasket. I wont know for sure what the problem is until i tear it apart. I will post my findings and maybe it will help other boaters in the future.

 

[Don S]

Re: Gimble Housing

If you mean around the edge of the cutout for the transom shield, then the chances are high (about 99%) that you have a rotten transom allowing the bolts to be loose. The ones that hold the transom shield (Gimbal housing) to the transom.

 

[REM 6824]

Re: Gimble Housing

Okay...i removed the drive, engine and the gimble housing from the boat. I do in deed have some rot in the transom. I removed the fiberglass from the inside and about 1/2 of the transom was showing signs of rot. Only the lower 1/4 was actually rotten. I have removed all wood and cleaned the transom area. Will be starting on wood and fiberglass tomorrow.