Shift bellows clamp

[gabe1]

1988 3.0 Mercruiser/Alpha One
Hi
I just finished replacing the bellows and shift cable
and I am ready to crimp the shift bellows clamp.
My question is do I crimp the clamp with the drive trimed up or down?

Thanks
Gabriel

 

[Don S]

Re: Shift bellows clamp

You don't want to crimp it down so tight that the bellows will not move on the cable. Either make the tool shown in the manual or use a wire tie that Merc uses for fuel lines to secure it. To be quite honest, the bellows fits so tight on the cable that they don't leak if you put nothing on them.

 

[gabe1]

Re: Shift bellows clamp

Should I close the clamp all the way or leave it about a 1/8 open?

I made the tool to crimp the clamp
a 1/2 nut welded to the pliers and then I drilled the treads with a 1/2 bit.