rebuilding transom

[chopperdog]

1988 OMC Cobra, Bayliner Ciera Sunbridge.

Small leak in transom since I bought the boat.
I have some days off, and it's cold outside so I wont' be using the boat. I would like to tackle the transom leak.
I took the drive off, and there is water in the bellows that surround the drive shaft. There is a little rust on the U-joint of the drive shaft.

1.) Is that water normal? If not, what does it indicate? Could it have been just a bad gasket when the outdrive was last put on?

2.) My plan is to remove the gimble housing and transom plate, and take a look at what I need for the transom. Any advice here is appreciated. I can brace the engine away from the transom, giving me plenty of room to work in the bilge, without having to pull the engine.

Does the transom plate just unbolt from the inside, then come apart on the inside and outside of transom?

I'm kinda driving blind here, but willing to tackle it to get it fixed before it warms back up.

Thanks in advance,

Chopperdog

 

[Fishermark]

Re: rebuilding transom

No, the water in the bellows is not normal, and will cause problems.

If your transom is soft and needing to be replaced, then you will need to address that question in the restoration forum.

For how to remove the transom assembly, etc, if your OMC is anything like a Mercruiser, then yes, you unbolt it from the inside of the boat. But more experienced OMC experts will have to chime in here. The condition of the transom itself will have nothing to do with the water in the drive bellows however.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: rebuilding transom

And unless you can move the engine forward a couple of feet, you will have to remove it for clearence. And have the bellows been changed in the last 2-5 years?

 

[Don S]

Re: rebuilding transom

I think the first thing you need to do is get your terminology right. You do not have to remove the transom from your boat to fix a water in the bellows problem.
The transom is the back of the boat.

Have a look at this.
The gimbal housing, gimbal ring, and bellhousing are normally considered as the transom shield assembly.

If you have water in the bellows, then you have a bad bellows and it needs replaced, all you have to do is remove the bellhousing at most to replace the bellhousing. It can be done without it by removing the exhaust bellows and water hose, and pulling the bellows out the bottom.

You should replace the gimbal bearing and ujoints if they were in water. Water causes rust. Not real good on bearings.

 

[chopperdog]

Re: rebuilding transom

Thanks for replies.
Apparently I do need to replace the Bellows.
Also, separately, I do have a leaky transom. It has been sealed with caulk at the shop I took it to. I know, not the best idea, and I would like now to correct it.

I will upload a photo if I can get it to work.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: rebuilding transom

Unless you have some different configuration than mine, the bottom bolts are a super PITA. I do not see pulling transom plate without pulling the engine.

 

[Don S]

Re: rebuilding transom

I do have a leaky transom. It has been sealed with caulk at the shop I took it to. I know, not the best idea, and I would like now to correct it.

In that case, you have more problems than just the leak. Chances are the wood in the transom is rotten and needs replaced. That is why the transom shield is pulling away from the transom and allowing water in. The only fix is to remove the engine and transom shield (inner and outer) and remove the rotted wood and replace it with new wood and reglass it. LOTS of work.

If you want to know how to replace the transom, head over to the restoration forum, lots of info on it over there.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: rebuilding transom

Does the transom plate just unbolt from the inside, then come apart on the inside and outside of transom?

Pretty much, YES.

You'll remove the drive, engine and inner transom plate in that order.

Then pry the transom-mount off the back of the transom.

You should probably check the whole transom (lot's more info in the rebuild/resto section on that)

You'll need to determine if the boat is even worth it..... The labor involved can be extensive. If you have to pay someone else to do it, you may want to just cut your losses and part out the boat.....


Good luck,


Rick