bellows replacement procedere

[myredchevys]

I am in the process of replacing my bellows on an alpha 1 gen. 1 outdrive. Reading the mercruiser manual step 1 it says to disconnect the water tube from the engine side and push it through the transom. After removing the bellows and bellhousing I was wondering if I had to remove it at all. Does it help in the reassembly? I wound up having to cut the hose at the engine side to remove it. Now that I have everything apart,the tube is sort of wiggling around in there-does it pull out thru the transom side with the grommet-seems like I am making more work for myself or am I missing something here? Thanks

 

[bacafrog]

Re: bellows replacement procedere

I just got done doing my bellows and replacing my gimbal bearing. I removed the water hose leading from the transom to the back of the bell housing. I did not remove the water tube that leads into the engine area. Some of the steps in the manual you do not have to do in order to change your bellows out. I searced on here for bellows and gimbal bearings before I started mine.

I also found a few videos using Google video search. Look at everything you can to help guide you in the right way. Now that I have done this for the first time I feel like I was stressing myself out more than I needed to.

 

[myredchevys]

Re: bellows replacement procedere

Thanks-now that I can see through the tramsom I guess I need th order a new grommet and hose. does this require any type of sealant?

 

[bacafrog]

Re: bellows replacement procedere

It should say in the manual if it needs sealent or anything like that. This being my first personal boat, I am not yet experienced enough to tell you. Maybe DonS or some of the other gurus on here could help you out with that one.

 

[myredchevys]

Re: bellows replacement procedere

Read through the manual maybe I missed it. Now that I have it out will it make reassembly any easier?

 

[bacafrog]

Re: bellows replacement procedere

After reading the manual again, it looks like it will make it easier to install now that you have removed the tube. Wish I would have noticed that sooner. The water hose was the only thing that drove me nuts trying to install it. If I had done it the way you are doing it would of been a lot easier. It also looks like you dont need any sealent to install it. Looks like there is seal that you will need.

 

[myredchevys]

Re: bellows replacement procedere

Thats what I was thinking , I could attach the hose on the bellhousing end then at the coupling at the transom and slip the whole fitting through the transom and attach the grommet and retainer-sound right?

 

[bacafrog]

Re: bellows replacement procedere

Sounds right to me. I attached it to the transom side first, then hit my head against the wall trying to get the hose attached to the bell housing. I finally got it, but doing it the way you are going sounds much better. Wow, old dogs can learn new tricks.