possible to change bellows without taking outdrive off?

[weider1717]

Mine is a 84, this will be my project next weekend....

looks like they're just on with suretights clamps..maybe theres more to it not sure.

can I replace them without taking the drive off? mine are cracked up some has this allowed water into my drive or into my boat?? if they were cracked enough to leak that is.

boat hardly ever is used tho so hopefully everything is fine.

 

[Don S]

Re: possible to change bellows without taking outdrive off?

Mine is a 84, this will be my project next weekend....

1984 what??????

 

[weider1717]

Re: possible to change bellows without taking outdrive off?

ha! good question lol I STILL have no clue..

well it's mated to a mercruiser 260hp engine and the drive is also a 84 and has a square top and some say it's an alpha one and some have told me it's an MR.

it's a 1.50 ratio.

anymore info needed?

 

[Don S]

Re: possible to change bellows without taking outdrive off?

On any Mercruiser, you have to remove the drive, and the bellhousing to replace the bellows.
Details in section 4A in the manual link below.

http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/mnetdata/SERVICE/CRUISER/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf

 

[JustJason]

Re: possible to change bellows without taking outdrive off?

your in for a treat if you've never done the job before......
hope you have lots of band aids

 

[weider1717]

Re: possible to change bellows without taking outdrive off?

dang....i really dread this.

 

[JustJason]

Re: possible to change bellows without taking outdrive off?

just take your time and have patience.

Lay off the beers until the job is done.

pay special attention to the orientation of the clamps.

get a marine zip tie for the shift cable bellow, instead of that funky clamp.

might as well replace the shift cable while your in there.

if you don't have the tool, come up with a plan to pull that exhaust bellow towards you before everything is half together and covered with bellows adheasive.

make sure you check your alignment before you put the drive back on.

don't sweat it.... it's a suck job. ive done a bunch of them and they suck every time.

 

[Don S]

Re: possible to change bellows without taking outdrive off?

don't sweat it.... it's a suck job. ive done a bunch of them and they suck every time.

I don't even want to know how many I have done over the years, and yes, the job is a real PITA. The good news is, you don't have a time limit. Take your time, follow the manual and do as it says. If it starts getting the best of you, walk away from it for a bit till your attitude gets where it's needed and give it another try. It's a very easy job to get frustrated on, trust me, but it's also been done by a lot of first timers and done correctly.
Read section 4A of the manual several times so you know what to expect, and the manual makes it sound easier than it is. But it's a doable job.

 

[weider1717]

Re: possible to change bellows without taking outdrive off?

alrighty thanks guys

 

[weider1717]

Re: possible to change bellows without taking outdrive off?

oh one last thing.

is there a KIT that includes all the bellows and bellow lube etc..that I'll need for this job for my specific outdrive?

I would sure be nice to order a kit that has everything I'll need to do this job instead of me with my lack of boat kwowledge tracking everything thing down and still not have everything I need when I do this next weekend.

 

[Don S]

Re: possible to change bellows without taking outdrive off?

These are Mercruiser PN's and I would recommend using OEM. If have had to use both, and I know the difference in how things fit.
The transome seal kit, which includes all 3 bellows, the water hose, all gaskets and seals and a gimbal bearing is PN 30-803098T 1
The shift cable part number (the good teflon coated one) is 865436A03

You can use those part numbers to convert to cheaper, and inferior kits.

 

[mthieme]

Re: possible to change bellows without taking outdrive off?

weider,
It's not that bad.
6 bolts and the shifter cable.
You'll have an opportunity to see what the inside looks like and check the gimbal.
I believe on an Alpha you need to have the shifter in forward. Someone else can verify this. (I have a Cobra).

 

[weider1717]

Re: possible to change bellows without taking outdrive off?

thanks don and thanks for the motivation mthieme!

I'll order that part number and get the real deal OEM stuff..hey way i look at it is get the best you can to futher delay doing this again! lol

and by shift cable you're recommending going ahead and changing that out even tho mine seems to be fine right

good advice i'll go ahead and do that also

one last thing those pn's are PROBABLY a one fits all as far as what outdrive you have as in R, MR & ALPHA 1 GEN 1 correct?

i'm sure gen II and bravos are diff just want to make sure that is exactly what i need even if mine is an alpha 1 gen 1 or an MR since i've kinda heard both.. thanks don

edit* ran the pn it came up with this below which says gen 2 so is that still what i need? again mine is an 84 year model. sorry i'm such a newbie pain!http://www.iboats.com/REPAIR_KT_TRA...7421815--**********.298513339--view_id.179955

 

[Don S]

Re: possible to change bellows without taking outdrive off?

SHAME on ME!!!!!
I hit the 9 and missed the 8
I just went back and edited my previous post. The real PN is 30-803098T 1
not 30-803099T 1

One other thing the 30-803098T 1 kit has an exhaust tube instead of a bellows. (Doesn't require a special tool to install)
If you want the bellows and not the tube, you want kit PN 30-803097T 1

Aren't you glad it's all easy

 

[weider1717]

Re: possible to change bellows without taking outdrive off?

thanks once again don!

so if I want the bellows which it has now get PN 30-803097T 1 and if i want the improved lil deal getthe 98..

gotcha but i'll prob get the 97 and stay with what its always had on it.

alright guess i'm set then! and i watched a video on doing this on youtube and they kept mentioning bellow lube..does that come with the kit? something actually needed? just wanna make sure i get that to if i need it

 

[JustJason]

Re: possible to change bellows without taking outdrive off?

some things that aren't in the kit that your going to need is a tube of bellows adheasive, a marine fuel line zip tie, shift cable socket, bellows tool or something you can make to substitute, hinge pin tool or 1/2 allen (I bought a 1/2 allen from sears (craftsman) and cut an inch off and just stick it in a 1/2 socket) propane/map gas for the loctite on the pins, new red loctite for the hinge pins..... maybe a new water hose... and all new clamps.
you don't want to have to go back in there for another 5 years so try not to skimp on the job.
and I second Don, Factory mercruiser parts are the only way to go.

 

[Don S]

Re: possible to change bellows without taking outdrive off?

READ The MANUAL.
Forget the youtubes and other information till you read the manual. THEN, and only then will you know the proper way to do it.

 

[weider1717]

Re: possible to change bellows without taking outdrive off?

ok guys i think i'm ready to order everything and get prepared for next weekend.

thanks a lot! and sorry for so many ?'s maybe next year i'll have this stuff down pat. haha

 

[Don S]

Re: possible to change bellows without taking outdrive off?

thanks a lot! and sorry for so many ?'s

You're not done with the questions yet, you're just getting started.

 

[cbear34]

Re: possible to change bellows without taking outdrive off?

Good luck with the job. Like previous posters have said take your time!
I did the job first time last winter on my 89 alpha one and yes, it is a huge PITA! I ordered all the right tools and glad I did. Also I did replace my water hose which you will probably need. The reason I did the job was the water hose was dry rotted and I had to replace both sender switches, bad wire insulation. The bellows were all still o.k. Replaced it all just to know all the transom rubber is taken care of.
As advised by Don, read the Merc manual and follow step by step.
Good luck and be patient!