outdrive... glue in gasket and o-rings?

j_reed

Cadet
Joined
Oct 8, 2009
Messages
24
I have to pull the outdrive on my boat and its the 1st time doing it myself, do the o-rings and rubber gasket have to be glued in? or can they just be held in place with grease.

1995 searay 195
4.3 alpha 1 gen 2
 

Oshkosh1

Ensign
Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
968
Re: outdrive... glue in gasket and o-rings?

I don't see the need to use glue. I just installed my Alpha one and used grease on them...all seems watertight so far. Put a thin coat on the u-joint "barrell" as well.
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: outdrive... glue in gasket and o-rings?

You don't have to use glue, but it does help keeping the gasket in place in case it gets bumped while installing the drive. If that big ring gets pushed out of place, you get water in the bellows, you end up buying a new gimbal bearing, ujoints, and who knows what else.
But you did save on the price of some glue to hold the ring in place.
Your choice.
 

ziggy

Admiral
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: outdrive... glue in gasket and o-rings?

if ya got some perfect (bellows glue) seal around, that works pretty good. easy to clean off with acetone the following year and start the process all over again..

imho, it's a real important seal. bums me out ya never now if it made the seal till the next fall when ya remove the drive again. i personally want to do everything i can to be sure it stays in place during install. like you. i remove and install my drive by myself.
 

j_reed

Cadet
Joined
Oct 8, 2009
Messages
24
Re: outdrive... glue in gasket and o-rings?

ok
thanks guys, I will def use the glue, it sounds too risky not to. what a fantastic resource this board is, the replies and help is really appreciated. -jay


if ya got some perfect (bellows glue) seal around, that works pretty good. easy to clean off with acetone the following year and start the process all over again..

imho, it's a real important seal. bums me out ya never now if it made the seal till the next fall when ya remove the drive again. i personally want to do everything i can to be sure it stays in place during install. like you. i remove and install my drive by myself.
 

picklenjim

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 11, 2009
Messages
528
Re: outdrive... glue in gasket and o-rings?

I use Permatex "High Tack". It's kind of like a purple rubber cement. Stays thin and works great.
 

MarkSee

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Sep 10, 2010
Messages
1,172
Re: outdrive... glue in gasket and o-rings?

ok
I will def use the glue, it sounds too risky not to

A very wise choice.:)

I started doing my own r/r also (3 times now) mostly by myself with a little help from my 15 year old son, and using a little bellows adhesive on those rings and not having to worry about them moving made it that much easier.

I even use the $2 shift slide support tool to make sure that starts going in straight also.:redface:

Mark
 

tjb1231

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 10, 2012
Messages
32
Re: outdrive... glue in gasket and o-rings?

Do you coat the whole surface or just dabs in certain places to hold it there?
 

Fishermark

Vice Admiral
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Messages
5,617
Re: outdrive... glue in gasket and o-rings?

Bellows adhesive is a contact cement - simply smear a little on the bellhousing and another smear on the rubber O ring. A smear all the way around. Let it dry and put the gasket in place. Pretty simple. ;)

I personally glue the big O ring for the drive in place, and then use grease to hold the water o ring in place. I can visually see that it stays in place as I install the outdrive.

Here's a pic showing the big ring glued in place, the water o ring greased in place, and the $2 tool that MarkSee mentions. I too have found it help simply installation!

DSCF8622.jpg
 

MarkSee

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Sep 10, 2010
Messages
1,172
Re: outdrive... glue in gasket and o-rings?

Do you coat the whole surface or just dabs in certain places to hold it there?

I put just a few dabs on the o-ring itself, install it and let it dry for a few minutes.
Then I just check that's not moving and consider it ready to go.

Then lightly grease up the side facing "out" as Fishermark shows and should have no issues.

Mark
 

Oshkosh1

Ensign
Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
968
Re: outdrive... glue in gasket and o-rings?

Oh great...now I'm paranoid!!:facepalm:lol

I didn't see the need(nor is it mentioned in the manual) to glue the big ring gasket in, so I just placed it in with a little grease to hold it in place. All seemed to fit fine, however considering the ramifications of a leak...I'll err on the side of caution and check it.

Now that I see so many adhereing it to ensure it doesn't move...I think I'll pull the drive and do the same. Obvioiusly the more savvy vets here consider it worthwhile and it only takes a couple of minutes I suppose.

Hope everyone has a safe and pleasureable weekend, and don't forget to remember those who sacrificed their life, so we could all enjoy it.

Let summer begin!
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: outdrive... glue in gasket and o-rings?

You have to understand the manuals were not designed for DIYers, but for factory trained techs.
Some things you learn from those you work for, or now days, forums.

Merc did start saying to glue them in. Here is from manual 14

attachment.php











.
 

Attachments

  • Untitled2.jpg
    Untitled2.jpg
    57 KB · Views: 33

Oshkosh1

Ensign
Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
968
Re: outdrive... glue in gasket and o-rings?

Some things you learn from those you work for, or now days, forums.

Agreed...and I've learned much from you and other "salts"...Thank-you.

I have the #6 manual and was going by that. Always good to get new info.

I've got plenty of gasket glue, and I'm not afraid to use it!
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468

Oshkosh1

Ensign
Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
968
Re: outdrive... glue in gasket and o-rings?

So....
I went ahead and pulled my drive...

I found that the rubber ring was split in two pieces!!:eek:
Tomorrow I'm off to buy a new gasket set ($9), and glue it in.

Thanks for the advice, saved me from more expensive repairs.

Oh...where can you buy that shift slide support? Looks handy.
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: outdrive... glue in gasket and o-rings?

Oh...where can you buy that shift slide support? Looks handy.
You can get one from your local Merc dealer, personally, I use a glob of grease on the slide and roller to hold it in place. Has worked fine for over 20 years of working on them for a living.
 

MarkSee

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Sep 10, 2010
Messages
1,172
Re: outdrive... glue in gasket and o-rings?

Oh...where can you buy that shift slide support? Looks handy.

When you buy the gasket set, buy a second; never know when you, or a buddy, may need it in an emergency.

Part number 91-865232 as Don said from your local Merc dealer or many of the Quicksilver Internet sites carry them also; buy a couple.

Mark
 

Oshkosh1

Ensign
Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
968
Re: outdrive... glue in gasket and o-rings?

personally, I use a glob of grease on the slide and roller to hold it in place. Has worked fine for over 20 years of working on them for a living.

Yep...One healthy, "glob" did it.
 

j_reed

Cadet
Joined
Oct 8, 2009
Messages
24
Re: outdrive... glue in gasket and o-rings?

what is the better glue to use ? I have the permatex aviation sealant #3, or is bellows cement better. thanks for all the replies and images too. -j
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: outdrive... glue in gasket and o-rings?

Glue, not sealer.
 
Top