Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen 1 (1986) bellows replacement

[4winnsskipper]

I did a bunch of searches and can't find exactly what im looking for - i just boat my '86 sea ray amberjack with twin 4.3 mercruisers

a) Is there an advantage to buying genuine merc bellows kits VS sierra bellows kit?

b) i got a copy of the service manual from a link i found on here, but am unclear if i need to remove shift cable or not, do i?

c) i searched you tube for videos and found bits and pieces of info, any good videos out there showing removal and re-assembly?

d) local marina, skipper buds where my boat is stored wants 4,000 dollars to replace bellows in both drives! yes, 2k for each drive! they insist on replacing shift cable, and trim sender unit but even so thats alot of money, what the heck!? this is why im looking to do it myself, im very mechanically inclined but want to do my due diligence to know before hand. It appears i can get all parts for under 500 bucks for drives


Thanks in advance!

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen 1 (1986) bellows replacement

If you're mechanical do it yourself. And do get the oe bellows. There is a nice tutorial in the boatfix.com site and the oe one is good too. $2000..., I'm in the wrong business. What a crock.

 

[achris]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen 1 (1986) bellows replacement

...d) local marina, skipper buds where my boat is stored wants 4,000 dollars to replace bellows in both drives! yes, 2k for each drive!...

For that I would fly to your house (from Australia!!!) and do the job including a water pump impeller and full leg service, and you would still have change! What a thief!!!!

Chris.........

 

[Pete104]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen 1 (1986) bellows replacement

Are you sure that the gimbal ring isn't included in that fiqure?
Skippers is not a fly by night place.

 

[fmalott]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen 1 (1986) bellows replacement

i know it sounds like a broken record but there is no such name as Alpha 1 Gen 1 it's just Alpha 1 or Alpha 1 Gen 2

 

[achris]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen 1 (1986) bellows replacement

Are you sure that the gimbal ring isn't included in that fiqure?
Skippers is not a fly by night place.

No, but they sound like they might fly by first class at those prices.....

I guess they think they have a 'captive' market with marina based boats... Seen it before :facepalm:

 

[Pete104]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen 1 (1986) bellows replacement

And I've seen people CONFUSED when it comes to fixing the beloved boat!

 

[4winnsskipper]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen 1 (1986) bellows replacement

ok guys i dont want to go off on that 4k price, it is ridiculous to say the least, they said that includes replacing the shift cable and the trim senders (which they say it probably needs apperently without even seeing it) , and it will take them 12-14 hours per drive to do this... what a joke....

ANYWAY

i see there is an exhaust tube option now, it looks easier to install and some info i read says its highly recomended over replacement bellows. Im personally looking for quiet while i troll, or idle around, will the exhaust tube be louder? what about under WOT is the tube that much louder?

 

[achris]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen 1 (1986) bellows replacement

The tube will be louder, not so much below planing speed because it will be under water, but once you are on the plane, you will definitely hear it. It was used by Merc for only a few years on the V8s. They have gone back to bellows... Read into that what you will....