Exhaust Tube vs. Exhaust Bellows

Hello all,

I have a question about switching from an exhaust bellows over to a tube....

I have a 1987 Glastron X-19 with a 3.0l/Mercruiser Alpha One drive on it and unfortunately it has sprung a leak at the top of the drive bellows. As long as I was going to be replacing the drive bellows I thought it might be smart to get the entire seal kit and replace everything since it will be all tore apart anyway. I read somewhere, I can't remember where for sure, that Mercury was suggesting to replace the exhaust bellows with the exhaust tube as the bellows created too much back pressure. Can I make the switch over to the exhaust tube with no modifications? Is it really as easy as it sounds? I did find a thread here in the forums that mentioned this can be done with no modifications, but I guess I just wanted to make sure this is the case before I start ordering parts?

I will be ordering the 18-8205 Transom Seal Kit when the time comes and plan on replacing the gimbal bearing but is there anything else that I should be looking for, inspecting, or replacing while I am into it that deep?

Love the forums btw .

Re: Exhaust Tube vs. Exhaust Bellows

My Bravo has a tube rather than a bellows and I can see no reason why a tube would not work unless they actually don't make one for an alpha drive. I do not think back pressure is a problem with your engine though. I suspect all it will do is make it annoyingly loud.

Re: Exhaust Tube vs. Exhaust Bellows

I changed from the bellows to the tube (the bellows slipped off at the transom side a few times), it is a little noisier but simple to install. I did not notice any performance increase. 98 305 merc. 2bbl. Alpha 1 gen 2

Re: Exhaust Tube vs. Exhaust Bellows

I wish I had changed to the tube but I just had to convince myself I could replace my model I exhaust bellows without too much trouble.

Well, with a couple of hours with hands that ended up being sore for two days I did correctly replace my bellows. But I wish I had gone the easy route. I will next time. I work with my hands as a "old school" (non-CNC) machinist and am pretty dexterious for my age and large hand size but replacing that bellows beat up my hands badly.

Re: Exhaust Tube vs. Exhaust Bellows

Thanks for the replies! That does it for me then, exhaust tube it is !

Re: Exhaust Tube vs. Exhaust Bellows

Mischief Managed said:

My Bravo has a tube rather than a bellows and I can see no reason why a tube would not work unless they actually don't make one for an alpha drive. I do not think back pressure is a problem with your engine though. I suspect all it will do is make it annoyingly loud.

Click to expand...

The same tube fits both alpha and bravo drives.