SX Water Seal

[psneden]

Okay, not a problem, and no signs of one but the curiosity is killing me...

I've had my SX-M1 off for the second time, and now that I'm staring at it:
What keeps the water from just seeping into the drive bellows?

I'm (of course) replacing the seal at the raw water pickup tube, and I'll probably do the bellows (just because).

I understand the application of sealant at the base of the 6 bolts, but the drive-to-gimbal mating surface is just paint-to paint, and it does seem to just open up to that drive bellows tunnel... and this area is underwater.

It just seems like that bit of pressure would naturally seek it's way in, and swamp the shaft bearing and U-joints. The shaft bearing o-ring would keep the water out of the bilge, but...?

Maybe I'm missing something obvious, but I'd rather get educated this way, than actually assume everything's OK, then Murphy!

Thanks,

Paul Sneden
VP 5.0 GXi-F
SX-M1 (1.60)
in a Glastron GS250 (2006)

 

[Don S]

Re: SX Water Seal

I've had my SX-M1 off for the second time, and now that I'm staring at it:
What keeps the water from just seeping into the drive bellows?

The nose of the drive pushes against the edge of the bellows to seal.

I understand the application of sealant at the base of the 6 bolts,

No sealant, just grease on the 6 studs to keep corrosion down.

 

[HorizonblueDK]

Re: SX Water Seal

The nose of the drive pushes against the edge of the bellows to seal.

This is one clever thing about the SX drive. Just bolt it on, and it seals. With the Mercruiser Alpha one, there is both a fragile bellhousing gasket and a "square" O-ring to look out for, when you are installing a heavy outdrive.

I have often wondered if the O ring pops out of place, when trying to get the driveshaft to match the coupler splines.....