New Exhaust Shutters

[Bondo]

Re: New Exhaust Shutters

Any tricks to get the exhaust tubes to come apart from the elbow and/or y-pipe ??? I don't want to take the exhaust elbows off as I have recently installed a full closed cooling system and don't want to break that 'seal'.

Ayuh,.... Get yerself a Hose Pick Ted,... It's like a bent ice pick, or bent pointy screw driver kinda thingy,...
Once I used 1, I can't explain why I didn't before I did,... Never leave home without it now,...

With the hose clamps off/ loose, slip the pick in under the rubber, twist it in, 'n work it 'round the pipes...

Once broken loose, the couplers oughta slide down/ back enough to pop out the elbow...
A shot of Don's secret slippery rubber sauce, Power Tune, might make it work even Better....
ain't had the occasion to try it...

I think ya got the shutters Right,... Haven't seen 'em exactly like that set...

 

[achris]

Re: New Exhaust Shutters

You have it correct. To get to the shutters with removing the elbows could be a bit tricky, but it can be done.

Here's how to do it... Obviously remove all the hose clamps...
Then push the lower rubber down the exhaust pipe (that's the tricky part). They are usually stuck to the pipe and require a lot of convincing that they really want to move. I convince them with a couple of large screwdrivers and a rubber mallet.
Once the lower rubber is down far enough to expose the end of the intermediate tube, pull the top rubber and intermediate tube straight aft and off the end of the elbow, pull the lower rubber up and off completely... You now have access to the shutter location...

On re-assembly, clean up the surfaces of the top of the pipe and the insides of the lower rubber and grease the (insert favourite word ) out of the sucker.... That makes it easier to get it all back together, and will make it easier the next time you want to inspect....

HTH,

Chris............
EDIT: Bugger, Bond-o beat me to it....

 

[JerryIrons]

Re: New Exhaust Shutters

Be careful of those square rubber grommets on either side of your flap, not sure about your model but for mine they come off, and can fall down into the pipe. I learned that the hard way...ended up having to squirt water from a hose until I was able to work it out...

Not sure if this will help or not, but when I needed to change a power steering hose for my trailblazer (rubber) in the dead of winter, I used my wife's hair dryer to heat it up enough to be pliable. Probably one of those situations to seek forgiveness after the fact.

-Jerry

 

[achris]

Re: New Exhaust Shutters

... Probably one of those situations to seek forgiveness after the fact.

As in....

Easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: New Exhaust Shutters

Thanks, Bond-o and Chris. I removed all the clamps and did the screw driver thing a couple of weeks ago, but after 1/2 hour of the rubber couplers laughing at me, I went onto something else. I'll have to keep my eye out for a hose pick or something to make one.

I have Wednesday - Thursday off from work. So, I'll hopefully be able to replace the shutters along with a bunch of other final prep stuff. The boat hauler is set to come at 2PM on Friday and we will be launching the boat for its 'maiden' voyage.

The boat ramp at my harbor is not steep at all . . . we call it "a road that runs into the water". So the boat hauler is going to bring me up to the next harbor for launching. I'll then have to make the 5 mile journey by sea back to my home port. As, such, I'll have to make sure everything is in good working order, as I won't have much of a chance to 'fix' anything that isn't quite right.

Edit: the hair dryer has been recruited for a number of things . . . when asked about it by the Admiral, I usually just say that I didn't know any better

 

[JerryIrons]

Re: New Exhaust Shutters

Yep!

Also I will concur with others it takes elbow grease. And Chris's note about pushing down on the lower tube. I also used a pick as well. Just give it some effort and patience, I only weigh 140 lbs and got it done, but it was warmer out.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: New Exhaust Shutters

Ted, Just saw your post. Those are the same ones I replaced my single plate flappers with. Had to do a bit of "Mc Guiver" to get em to fit properly into the older down pipes. The S/S shafts for the old ones had deformed the mounting holes in the aluminum some before they fell out and into the down pipe. I trimmed the grommets just a tad to make them fit the 2 holes a little better, because they would bind the flappers a bit, since they were too tight. I then used a dab of silicone to hold them in place. Had to "persuade" the flapper shaft into place a bit, but when done, everything was nice and free. That was 3 years ago when I first got the boat, fixed a bunch of stuff before 1st launch and haven't had a problem with them since.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: New Exhaust Shutters

Ted, Just saw your post. Those are the same ones I replaced my single plate flappers with. Had to do a bit of "Mc Guiver" to get em to fit properly into the older down pipes. The S/S shafts for the old ones had deformed the mounting holes in the aluminum some before they fell out and into the down pipe. I trimmed the grommets just a tad to make them fit the 2 holes a little better, because they would bind the flappers a bit, since they were too tight. I then used a dab of silicone to hold them in place. Had to "persuade" the flapper shaft into place a bit, but when done, everything was nice and free. That was 3 years ago when I first got the boat, fixed a bunch of stuff before 1st launch and haven't had a problem with them since.

These are the correct replacements per all of the reference material and expert advice. So, not figuring on needing to do the McGuiver thing. The big mystery will be if there is anything left of the previous shutters. I think I will post a few pictures back once I get things apart, etc.

Not sure how often I should check them?


BTW- how are the trailer guides working out?

 

[achris]

Re: New Exhaust Shutters

Ted, the (new) shutters you have are the same ones as in the pipe already (or were once in the pipe ). What 04fx is referring to is the upgrade from the original single plate shutters. That's what the -A3 variant is for. They have a carrier to go onto the top of the pipe. For the shutters you have, the pipe is different, which is why you can't use the -A3 variant.

Shutters get checked when the elbows get removed for inspection (initially after 3-4 years, then every year thereafter. When new elbows go on, start the process again.. :facepalm

HTH

Chris.......

 

[tpenfield]

Re: New Exhaust Shutters

Ted, the (new) shutters you have are the same ones as in the pipe already (or were once in the pipe ). What 04fx is referring to is the upgrade from the original single plate shutters. That's what the -A3 variant is for. They have a carrier to go onto the top of the pipe. For the shutters you have, the pipe is different, which is why you can't use the -A3 variant.

Shutters get checked when the elbows get removed for inspection (initially after 3-4 years, then every year thereafter. When new elbows go on, start the process again.. :facepalm

HTH

Chris.......

Yup, that's what I figured he was referring to . . the real old style jumps to the new style (A3) as a replacement.

I have "full" closed cooling systems, recently installed (San Juan Engineering MC324), and Stainless Steel elbows, along with brand new Mercruiser exhaust manifolds. So, I'm not sure how often I will be checking the manifolds/elbows. I will probably just drain down the cooling system and do a pressure test annually to see (hear) if I am getting any leakage. I could probably just make a note on my maintenance lists to check the exhaust shutters every few years.

 

[achris]

Re: New Exhaust Shutters

Yup, that's what I figured he was referring to . . the real old style jumps to the new style (A3) as a replacement.

I have "full" closed cooling systems, recently installed (San Juan Engineering MC324), and Stainless Steel elbows, along with brand new Mercruiser exhaust manifolds. So, I'm not sure how often I will be checking the manifolds/elbows. I will probably just drain down the cooling system and do a pressure test annually to see (hear) if I am getting any leakage. I could probably just make a note on my maintenance lists to check the exhaust shutters every few years.

Sounds like my old engine (4.3LX). Still miss it... :sad:

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: New Exhaust Shutters

BTW- how are the trailer guides working out?

HAHAHA... Haven't even gotten any brackets fabbed for them yet. Been sooooooooooooooo busy w/ work. Boat is still under cover.

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: New Exhaust Shutters

Ted, the (new) shutters you have are the same ones as in the pipe already (or were once in the pipe ). What 04fx is referring to is the upgrade from the original single plate shutters. That's what the -A3 variant is for. They have a carrier to go onto the top of the pipe. For the shutters you have, the pipe is different, which is why you can't use the -A3 variant.

Shutters get checked when the elbows get removed for inspection (initially after 3-4 years, then every year thereafter. When new elbows go on, start the process again.. :facepalm

HTH

Chris.......

Actually, I replaced the single plate ones with ones just like the ones Ted is holding in his earlier pics in post # 20. Working like a dream.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: New Exhaust Shutters

Actually, I replaced the single plate ones with ones just like the ones Ted is holding in his earlier pics in post # 20. Working like a dream.

Oh, OK . . . that explains the modification that you described to install them.

I fired the engines up today to 'warm' the exhaust pipe couplers, etc. After running the port engine for about 10 minutes, I was able to disassemble the exhaust pipe from the y-pipe, exposing the exhaust shutter area. Here are a few pics

achris - your method of dis-assembly worked great. I did not have to take off the exhaust elbows.




No evidence of shutters on the port side of the port engine, but a piece of shutter remains in the starboard side of the port engine



You can see the remnant of the retaining tab in the y-pipe.

Anyway . . . I ran out of time to complete the installation of the new shutters and re-assembly of the exhaust. So, that will be first on the hit parade in the morning. Then onto the starboard engine.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: New Exhaust Shutters

Finished the installation this morning . . .

The starboard engine had a bit more remnants of prior shutters, probably the originals


Here is a pic of the new shutter set in place.


I'm thinking that the shutters block a surge of water, but are not water tight when closed, due to the rough surface of the exhaust tube walls.

Seeing the inside of the exhaust system, I'm think of going with a diverter and thru-hull next year, as it just does not look like enough exhaust capacity' for the 454 engine . . .

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: New Exhaust Shutters

Finished the installation this morning . . .

The starboard engine had a bit more remnants of prior shutters, probably the originals

Here is a pic of the new shutter set in place.

I'm thinking that the shutters block a surge of water, but are not water tight when closed, due to the rough surface of the exhaust tube walls.

Seeing the inside of the exhaust system, I'm think of going with a diverter and thru-hull next year, as it just does not look like enough exhaust capacity' for the 454 engine . . .

Ted, don't forget, that while underway, the venture effect with the prop spinning, actually puts a negative pressure on the exhaust at the prop, essentially pulling the exhaust out of the system. From all that I have read (and it's been a lot, cause I was contemplating that upgrade also), the thru hull exhaust really benefits high HP rigs on the upper end of the RPM / torque range.. It may even reduce bottom end torque a bit, on a stock engine, due to zero back pressure on the exhaust.. Not meant to be water tight, by any means. Just prevent a big gulp of water intrusion when stern hit by a wave / wake and engine is off or rapid deceleration and the following surge coming up behind you