Pull the motor to change transom seal?

[scubapro69]

Hi, I just bought a 1990 Sunbird Stinger 17.5' with a 2.3L ford. I took the boat out and it runs perfect but i have a decent leak at the outdrive. I found the bellows needed to be replaced. The shaft bellow had a little dryrot but no holes that I could see. The exhaust bellow had uniformed holes on the bottom that I thought was weird so I got a new one and it doesnt have the holes. I filled the inside up with water and found water leaking out around the drive itself where it connects to the boat. I pulled the drive and see how to replace the bellows and gimbal bearing, but to change the transom seal I can get to 3 of the 6 nuts on the inside but it looks like I have to pull the motor to get the other 3? I cant even see them. If anyone can tell me if I have to pull the engine to get to all the nuts it would be greatly appriciated.

 

[Don S]

Re: Pull the motor to change transom seal?

Yes, you have to pull the engine to pull the transom shield to replace that seal. Problem is, those seals never leak on their own. I would bet money you have transom rot which cause the transom shield to be loose since there is nothing for the transom shield to tighten against.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Pull the motor to change transom seal?

Yes, you have to pull the engine to pull the transom shield to replace that seal. Problem is, those seals never leak on their own. I would bet money you have transom rot which cause the transom shield to be loose since there is nothing for the transom shield to tighten against.

I'm with Don, and having worked at a Sunbird dealer in the early 90's, I can confirm they do rot with alarming regularity.

 

[scubapro69]

Re: Pull the motor to change transom seal?

I can bounce the outdrive up and down and the transom doesn't move. I had a friend look at it that's worked on boats his whole life and said it looks good. Also the main tech at my local place said it looked good.

 

[Don S]

Re: Pull the motor to change transom seal?

Then pull the engine and replace the seal.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Pull the motor to change transom seal?

try reading my post. I just did a rebuild on the transom and have pics posted on it. 84 Starcraft rebuild.
Its not a real hard job, but good advice is replace everything you can while you have it out as it is a lot eiser that way.
Just FYI the aluminum bolts at the bottom of the transom shield are about $12.00 each. And you need 2.
I did all mine in about 12 total working days at 3 hours a day. And am very happy with the results. Also replace the trim hoses when you do it as they are a pain with the motor installed.

 

[Don S]

Re: Pull the motor to change transom seal?

He has an OMC Cobra drive not a Mercruiser. OMC's do not have 2 aluminum studs in the bottom two holes. That is a Mercruiser deal only.

 

[scubapro69]

Re: Pull the motor to change transom seal?

Ty for your help

 

[scubapro69]

Re: Pull the motor to change transom seal?

Also do I need to pull the gimbal housing off the boat to change the gimbal bearing and the seal?

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Pull the motor to change transom seal?

Also do I need to pull the gimbal housing off the boat to change the gimbal bearing and the seal?

No, and its actually easier with it on the boat rather than it rolling around on the bench! And I assume you mean the seal behind the bearing, not the boat to transom shield seal.

 

[scubapro69]

Re: Pull the motor to change transom seal?

Yeah the gimbal bearing and seal. It says in the book to use the special puller and installer to change it. Don't have this and really don't want to pay $300 for it. Any other way to pull and install it with a slide hammer puller or something like it?

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Pull the motor to change transom seal?

You can rent a slide hammer for about $10 a day. Taylor Rental has them. Here's a trick I use. Put the new bearing in your freezer overnite. It will actually shrink just enough to make it easier to seat it.