Mercruiser bellows

[Jakem]

It's bellows time. What is the easiest order for install. The drive is mc-1 I believe we figured out in another post

 

[Rick Stephens]

Follow the manual. Inventing an 'easiest' way usually adds a little grief to the process.

 

[Scott Danforth]

the easiest way...... drop boat off at mechanic, get call job is done, pay mechanic, go boating
the easy frugal way..... open the manual to the drive service section

 

[Jakem]

Manual is old and doesn't have some sections...drive being one of them

 

[Jakem]

It all looks pretty straight forward I'm just wondering if water hose should go before drive bellows or after

 

[kenny nunez]

Mount the water hose on the bellhousing then the bellows. Push the hose on the water supply pipe Tighten the clamp making sure the hose is not twisted. With the bellows clamp at the 2-3 o’ clock position working from the inside of the bellows push the it to the stops and the raised bead is in the receiver groove then tighten the clamp. A 1/4” drive 5/16” universal socket is the best tool for the clamps.
Bellows cement is recommended, and be sure the shift cable is also mounted with the shift cable bellows, with some liquid soap on the cable the cable will slip through it then clamp it to the gimbal housing. A wire tie will lock and seal the bellows to the cable. Install the hinge pins and thrust washers, stainless retaining pins. Use the exhaust bellows installation tool to secure the bellows.

 

[Jakem]

I cannot get bellows on. I am wondering how to remove these wich are on both sides so I can get room

 

[kenny nunez]

The stainless pins that go through the hinge pins have to be pulled. If you break them off you are in real trouble. They cannot be drilled out, it will take a small pin punch to work them out. You may need some heat to pull the small pins. They are bent over in the front of the gimbal ring. You need to get under the head of the pins with a pair of diagonal cutting pliers and tap them with a hammer. To extract the hinge pins use some 1/4” 28 bolts through a 3/8” drive 3/4” short socket to back the pins out.

 

[Jakem]

Alright well that sucks...now what...can I get the bellows on without removing the bell housing

 

[achris]

Alright well that sucks...now what...can I get the bellows on without removing the bell housing

Yes, but it's not easy (actually very difficult and fraught with the risk of damaging the new bellows in the process).

You're working on a 50+ year old machine that had a design life of 15-20 years max. The entire thing is going to fall into the 'not easy' category. There's a reason why most boat shops won't work on anything more than 20 years old (and some draw the line at 10 years)...

The easiest way to do this job is to drop something newer in. I understand that isn't always the most affordable option for some people. The price you pay for not being able to pay the price, is expensive and difficult repairs and maintenance. That's just the way it is.

That gives you 3 options.
1. Update to newer equipment.
2. Live with old equipment and accept the 'price' that entails.
3. Give up boating.

Chris............

 

[Jakem]

Lol...well that's kinda what I figured.

 

[Jakem]

Thanks for the suggestions. The pins came out super easy