Mercruiser Bell Housing

[norowing]

1989 4.3 liter Mercruiser Alpha 1 outdrive.
So I had to pull this motor due to busted starter bolts, when I removed the rear mounting bolts part of the starboard side rubber mount came out with the bolt. So now I got the new mounts (new style), the manual says to just press the old one out but it appears to me that they butt up to a ledge inside the Bell Housing. How do I press the one out without an inner sleeve?
Also can I use an input shaft to re-align engine or do I have to have the tool. Thanks, Mike

 

[myoldboat2]

Re: Mercruiser Bell Housing

Not sure on the mount but for alignment you have to have a tool.

 

[jtybt]

Re: Mercruiser Bell Housing

I had that happen. Decided to replace both while I was at it. Wouldn't press out. so I burned them out.

 

[norowing]

Re: Mercruiser Bell Housing

Ok, I'll give that a try, whats the difference between an alignment tool and the imput shaft that goes in there?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Mercruiser Bell Housing

The alignment tool doesn't have the splines - and is much more accurate.

 

[norowing]

Re: Mercruiser Bell Housing

Crap, I was afraid of that. Being as I'm in Mexico it'll take 3 weeks to get a tool from the States. If I can convince the owner to buy it.

 

[myoldboat2]

Re: Mercruiser Bell Housing

If you have a lathe you can make your own. There's some drawings with dimensions somewhere on the Internet.

 

[norowing]

Re: Mercruiser Bell Housing

I have access to one, I'll start the search. Thanks, Mike

 

[jtybt]

Re: Mercruiser Bell Housing

It's too short. Weld a 2' bar to the end of the U joint and cut off the 'ears' .


Come to think of it, I have a 4.3 I'll have to align tomorrow and I have an old merc U joint. If the splines fit, I think I'll make one up right now.


Merc and cobra have same splines.

 

[norowing]

Re: Mercruiser Bell Housing

Okey-Dokey, on my way to the scrap yard to find an old input shaft, I haven't been able to find the dims for the homemade one. Thanks, Mike

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser Bell Housing

Using an old splined shaft with a handle welded on might be ok for verifing the alignment is ok, but it will be almost impossible to use to align gimbal bearings and engines that are out of alignment.

 

[jtybt]

Re: Mercruiser Bell Housing

Unfortunately, the 4.3 dropped straight into the 2.3 mounts and settings and alignment was perfect so I didn't have a chance to re-align it.

The dimensions of the splined drive shaft doesn't match the alignment tool. It actually has a slightly smaller diameter so wouldn't be as accurate as the tool.

 

[norowing]

Re: Mercruiser Bell Housing

Thanks Gentlemen, off to the machine shop