how much bellows adhesive???

[pillsy]

Hello to all. I am new to iboat forums so be gentle...
I am installing a new shift cable kit and bellows kit on my 1973 merc outdrive. I know it's old. My question is do I put the adhesive only on the inside of the bellows or on the metal fitting as well. I can't find a difinitive answer on the net. Also is there a clamp on both sides of the shift cable bellows or only on the large end. thanks for any help..

 

[marcortez]

Re: how much bellows adhesive???

Hummmm.......

Normally adhesive would not be used for the bellows attachment.
Reasoning is you may want to replace them again one day and being "stuck" on with some adhesive might make removal a chore.

On a more modern machine, the bellows are usually secured to their fittings (typically exhaust outlets and U-joints) using stainless hose clamps....large ones.

Coating the inside lip of the rubber bellows (where it slips over the fitting) helps "lube" the installation and keeps the rubber softer and more plyable for a indeterminate length of time. Use Vaseline for this.

If you can take some photos, to show what your talking about....that would be awesome.
My suggestion may be way off base......you have a dinosaur there!!

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: how much bellows adhesive???

That might work if you never plan on putting the boat in the water
All boots/bellows are glued on with the exception of the exaust tube or exaust bellow.
using adhesive. Your manual is available in the Adults Only section. I suggest you download and read the section pertaining to boot/bellow replacement.most use a zip-tie on the small end of the shift boot.

 

[ken_23434]

Re: how much bellows adhesive???

The service manual says to use bellows adhesive. That is why the product is called "bellows adhesive".

The service manual for my drive (alpha 1) says to put the adhesive on the bellows, it only says to clean the mounting surfaces on the gimbal housing.

If you are not referencing the factory Mercruiser manual, you should be. It's available for download (free) at the adult's only sticky that is at the top of this forum.

 

[cr2k]

Re: how much bellows adhesive???

Put the adhesive on BOTH the inside of the bellows and the outside of the gimbal ring. Let it dry and you can spray a little windex, water or spit to "lube" it to get it together. Then the clamp will make the adhesive seal to itself.


Someone (marcortez) got some real bad advise.

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: how much bellows adhesive???

i have a 73 dino too and all the maintenence is pretty close the same as a newer unit so watch that advice you hand out or take.

 

[pillsy]

Re: how much bellows adhesive???

Hey thanks for the all the replies!! I will check out the sticky info. I didn't see where I could download the manual before.
I saw one of you said no adhesive on the exaust bellows, really I figured it would go on all of them.
I am getting some people telling me both inside of bellows and on fitting. I just got the bellows adhesive in the mail today. on the back it just said on the inner part of the bellows. Looks like I have some reading to do. Thanks again.
I guess more is better I don't want to have a leak in the bellows and sink the Dino..

 

[pillsy]

Re: how much bellows adhesive???

I found The download for the manual. Thanks again. I just realized I only had volume 1. I didn't know there was a volume 2. Volume 1 came with the boat when I bought it. "Very Nice How Much!!"

 

[Simoniz]

Re: how much bellows adhesive???

You dont really need bellows adhesive on the exhaust bellows since the joins at each end of it dont need to be watertight (there is water both inside and outside the bellows).

I wouldn't use vaseline as a lubricant there though at that will facilitate the bellows slipping off the spigots, once the boat is in use. Some kind of solvent like Powertune is the best thing, as its slippery when freshly applied to the rubber but dries and allows the rubber to grip the spigot.

Certainly use belloes adhesive for the other 2 though

 

[pillsy]

Re: how much bellows adhesive???

Ok now that I have read the book it looks like it does recommend adhesive on both the exaust and ujoint bellows. It said to use sandpaper on inner flange of the bellows and ruff it up so the adhesive will bond. put a thin layer on bellows not the flange, and let it dry for 10-15 min. or till its no longer tacky. Then install. use heat lamp or something that will heat the rubber to make it easier to work with.

I can't find any info on the shift cable bellows if it needs adhesive or not I would think it would, but it doesn't say. It just said tighten clamp on bellows very tight so water will not leak. Still wonder how water doesn't get in the small end of the bellows. I think I may clamp that side as well just to be safe.

Thanks again for all the replies. Wish me luck, time to get the digits dirty!

 

[captk]

Re: how much bellows adhesive???

adhesive to the shift bellows too. A zip tie on the small end but not too tight the cable has to slip through it. too tight like with a hose clamp can tear the bellows and sink the boat.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: how much bellows adhesive???

Just did mine a few weeks ago.......

Only used the adhesive on the inside of the u-joint bellows.....seemed to work fine.....no leaks and the boats been in the water for more than a week!!

I have the exhaust tube (no adhesive) and didn't use any adhesive on the shift cable bellows.

 

[pillsy]

Re: how much bellows adhesive???

Thanks, I noticed in the shift cable kit there was a little metal clamp. Atleast I think it's a clamp. I think it is ment to go on the end of the shift cable. I got all my parts the 2 days ago and went to go start putting stuff back together. The first thing I started on was the oil seal that goes on the upper shift lever. It's the one that goes in the hole where the exaust port is. well I didn't know when you take the old one out there is still a small piece of metal in there that also has to come out. I tried to get the new seal to go in there with that metal still in there, and munched the new seal now I am waiting on the parts place to mail me another one. so if anyone is doing what I am doing. You have to tap the brass bearing down which will push that small piece of metal out. Oh yeah and dont use a hammer directly on the brass bearing because you will deform it. I learned that the hard way also. Use a small piece of wood over the top of the bearing then tap it down. when you put the new oil seal in it will push the bearing back up into place. I had to sand down the lip that i made on the bearing so the upper shift lever would slide back into place. not good times. It is so frustrating to have all of those parts just sitting there except the one I need. so I am just waiting.

 

[pillsy]

Re: how much bellows adhesive???

Does anyone know if the seloc manual is any better than the mercruiser manual which has vague instructions.

 

[pillsy]

Re: how much bellows adhesive???

My only thought on adhesive on the exaust bellows is not to keep the water out but maybe to help keep the bellows from slipping off when you put the trim all the way up. I don't know if that is true or not but i would think it can't hurt. With the shift cable bellows that is a hole directly into the boat. if it didn't sealed properly I would kick my self in the *** if it caused a leak, so I think i am going to put it on the large end. I am kinda an overkill type of guy. more is better right?

 

[pillsy]

Re: how much bellows adhesive???

I am just going to keep posting till I am not a cadet any more makes me feel inferior. LOL!!

 

[tractoman]

Re: how much bellows adhesive???

Does anyone know if the seloc manual is any better than the mercruiser manual which has vague instructions.

Everyone does know that the Seloc manual is garbage. Best used to kneel on in the gravel or absorb spills. The Mercruiser manual is the way to go, and it can be downloaded for free.

 

[ken_23434]

Re: how much bellows adhesive???

Does anyone know if the seloc manual is any better than the mercruiser manual which has vague instructions.

The Mercruiser manual is written for trained technicians, so it does assume some knowledge of the material before hand.

The thing to watch out for is that it is normally written for a complete tear down and rebuild. Many times, what you are doing is more of an open, inspect, and replace an item or two. I always read the entire thing and try to figure out what parts actually apply to what I am doing.

The problem with the Seloc and the Clymer manuals is that the book is only about 3/4" thick, and covers a dozen or more engines along with about the same number of drives. In a book that small, you just cannot put the details in there adequately explain things. I bought one when I first got my boat, and shortly afterwards realized I could get the factory manuals for free. My Seloc manual is probably like brand new with no oily finger prints at all. It might be of some use to read a section if it has one that is written for the maintenance you are doing. ie, if it has a section titled "replacing the bellows", it might be of use to read that section and then go to the Mercruiser manual. The basic, dumbed down version in the Seloc might help provide some background that will help the Mercruiser manual make more sense to you.

Better yet, just keep asking questions on here for first hand knowledge (even though sometimes we give different answers).

 

[pillsy]

Re: how much bellows adhesive???

Everyone does know that the Seloc manual is garbage. Best used to kneel on in the gravel or absorb spills. The Mercruiser manual is the way to go, and it can be downloaded for free.

Thanks I like free better anyway!
What I need is a toll free help line!

 

[skargo]

Re: how much bellows adhesive???

Hummmm.......

Normally adhesive would not be used for the bellows attachment.
Reasoning is you may want to replace them again one day and being "stuck" on with some adhesive might make removal a chore.

On a more modern machine, the bellows are usually secured to their fittings (typically exhaust outlets and U-joints) using stainless hose clamps....large ones.

Coating the inside lip of the rubber bellows (where it slips over the fitting) helps "lube" the installation and keeps the rubber softer and more plyable for a indeterminate length of time. Use Vaseline for this.

If you can take some photos, to show what your talking about....that would be awesome.
My suggestion may be way off base......you have a dinosaur there!!

PLEASE don't take this the wrong way, but STOP giving wrong advice, someone is going to take your advice, and get themselves into trouble.

May I suggest you go to the adults only link and download your manual and do some reading.

You seem to mean well, learn some of this stuff and help some people