Mercruiser special tools

[Racerjoe56]

I am about to put a transom kit and lower shift cable in a 1998 Fisher pontoon boat with a Mercruiser 3.0 liter /Alpha 1 Gen II drive. I understand that I will need to purchase the hinge pin tool and the engine/drive alignment tool to accomplish this but I was wondering if I "really" needed to buy some of the other tools I am seeing everywhere to do this job.

Specifially in question are the:
Exaust bellows expander tool
Lower shift cable removal and instalation tool
U-joint ring instalation tool (looks like it presses a ring on the u-joint bellows into place into the drive)
And any other tools that are a "must have"

Let me know your expert opinions as I have never been in one of these before.

Thanks
Les

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser special tools

Exaust bellows expander tool
Only if you install a bellows and not the tube that is popular with the DIYers because you don't need the tool

Lower shift cable removal and instalation tool
NO

U-joint ring instalation tool (looks like it presses a ring on the u-joint bellows into place into the drive)
NO

hinge pin tool
If you can't get the pin loose with a 1/2" allen wrench, then yes, you need the tool.

And any other tools that are a "must have

The alignment bar is a must have, and is available on ebay all the time for around 50 bucks. You do need one. It's cheaper than the coupler.

 

[Racerjoe56]

Re: Mercruiser special tools

Thank you for the speedy reply. You sound as if you have exsperience with these animals....

Any opinion (pros/cons) on which one is better, bellows or tube? I am looking for ease but also nice quiet ride......(chugging down river in pontoon)

I just ordered transom kit (Quicksilver) that comes with a bellows. The tube seems to be about $30 and the expander is only a few dollars more. No real biggy for me if I need to spend a few extra bucks when you consider the labor involved.

Also, gimbal bearing and u-joint. Do you just replace them while it is apart or anything I should look for? If replace - any special tools needed for them?

Than you Sir!

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Mercruiser special tools

I've never used the tube, but most say there isn't a big noticable difference in the noise level.

For the shift cable you will need an extra deep socket - I simply welded two Craftsman 12 point 9/16" sockets together and it works great.

 

[Racerjoe56]

Re: Mercruiser special tools

Got it all buttoned back together this week. I still need to adjust the shift cable. Special tools bought were:

Engine alignment bar with gimbal bearing driver and universal bellows ring driver.

Exaust bellows tool

Hinge pin tool

Shift cable tool - 11/16 deep well socket welded to a 9/16 medium well socket with 1/2 inch drive (both purchased at flea market for $1 each)

I believe it all went fairly well. Will know once in the water tooling down the river.

Thanks for the input.