Gohot
Cadet
- Joined
- May 9, 2011
- Messages
- 17
This last month I finally gathered all the parts needed to do a 'BELLOWS' job in my Stingray bow rider. After deciding to Cheap Out and not get the bellows tool nor the Adhesive, I went ahead and proceded to install the bellows for the drive and exhaust along with the hose for the water pump. Upon reflection the only thing I would have also got would have been NEW clips, the little clips that go on the ends of both bellows (4 on my application). The purpose is to help with alleviating electrolisis. Anyway, the clips also helped in keeping the clamps from sliding back off the bellows while you stretch them and tighten the clamps. One thing of particular importance was the need of a 'flex driver' to tighten the clamps as the recess they fit in is just too difficult to access with standard screwdrivers or small sockets. I found just such a tool on ebay. It was a flex driver with the tip an 8mm socket that was fairly shallow. Worked like a champ and only cost $9 and change.Were it a slotted screwdriver in construction, it would have yet been too difficult to use, I highly recomend the socket type (8mm fits the clamps). I DID HOW EVER FAIL TO USE the adhesive that sometimes comes with the bellows kits or is available seperatly from many sources. I just figured it would be getting really swampy holding the bellows and trying at the same time tightening the clamp, while with a finger holding the clamp in orientation and tightening. I did manage to get all the hoses/bellows on and tight however, satisfactorily tight, as I got alot of grip with this tool. I later that week I ordered a manual on ebay, a Sealoc Mercruiser stern drive edition. While reading in the manual about the bellows change, it made mention of the adhesive, it seemed on every page...... too late for me.... hmm what can I expect now, I didn't use adhesive? Yet I did suceed in getting all the rubber on and 'tight' and clamped properly. As much of a job as it is to mount all the bellows and hose, I'm reluctant to take it all back apart to use adhesive, but in the same breath, I'd hate to allow the gimble bearing and u-joints get contaminated with water and cause a much more expensive fix. 
:facepalm: I wonder now......and I was so carefull and meticulous in the assembly, if now it was all for naught and must be done again with adhessive. WHAT SAY YOU.......??
:facepalm: I wonder now......and I was so carefull and meticulous in the assembly, if now it was all for naught and must be done again with adhessive. WHAT SAY YOU.......??
