87 4.3 omc cobra bellows replacement

[schankla]

Hey all,
When the weather lets up here in North Dakota my brother in law and i plan to replace the exhaust and u joint bellows on my 87 larson. Ive been doing a lot of research over the winter as i have never done this job before. Purchased the omc service manual and parts catolog off of ebay ($). would like to know if someone who has done the job could give me a couple of pointers...things to look out for...and maybe a list of everything im gonna need parts and special tools included. I also need to replace the starter motor, esa, thermo gasket, and probably impeller. Any brands recommended? Anything else i should replace while drive is off? I purchased my boat about 2 years ago...shes ugly but i love her. your advice is truly priceless and i greatly appreciate it.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: 87 4.3 omc cobra bellows replacement

The bellows are fairly straight forwward on the cobra drives. Just be sure you put the exhaust bellows on correctly. Hose clamp in the back for each one, snap ring on the front of the exhaust (and u-joint if applicable) bellows.
You will want to take off the pivot housing, but this can be done without disconnecting everything if you move it carefully so as to not kink the shift cable.
There are shim's between the pivot housing and gimble ring. Be prepared to replace them.
Things to look out for:
DON'T KINK THE SHIFT CABLE!! And don't pull outward on the piviot housing any farther than required to squeeze your hand in there from below to tighten the u-joint bellows' hose clamp.
There is a water hose that is connected to the pivot housing and transom. If you are replacing it, know in advance it's gonna be a *****. If it looks good, leave it.
I use Sierra for my Cobra with no problems.
The impeller is easy, you can do it without removing the drive, I even did mine with the boat in the water once.
Starter needs to be a Marine starter. You dont want any errant sparks in the bilge.
If the drive slides back a little and stops, it might, just keep tugging, it will come out.
You are going to want to align the motor while the drive is off. Special tool required and a feel for what you are doing. Engine alignment is very important, so do it or have it done.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 87 4.3 omc cobra bellows replacement

Remove the 2 hinge pins on each side of the transom plate...1/2 inch allen wrench. Not a hard job on a cobra.Be sure to use bellows adhesive and put the hose clamps at the 2 o'clock position.
With the hinge pins out you can get your hand in there fairly easy.

 

[schankla]

Re: 87 4.3 omc cobra bellows replacement

thanks for the replys

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: 87 4.3 omc cobra bellows replacement

Havasuboatman has it pretty well covered...all I can add is Loctite on the hinge pins upon reassembly. 'nutcase