Alpha (Gen I) Bell Housing Install

[Brentathon]

I have my Bell Housing all removed, for the replacement of my Upper Swivel Shaft and Lower Swivel Pin, as well as the seal at the Upper Shaft.
When I go to re-assembly everything, I'm a little confused on the best order of the various steps.
Would it be:
(1) Install U-joint Bellows onto Bell Housing
(2) Install Exhaust Bellows onto Gimbal Housing
(3) Clamp water hose to hose barb fitting on Bell Housing (I never removed hose from Gimbal Housing).
Does new shift cable get fed FORWARD through Bell Housing, or AFT?
When does shift cable Bellows get clamped to Gimbal Housing?

 

[dubs283]

Re: Alpha (Gen I) Bell Housing Install

sounds like you need to get an OEM manual for your drive (#6 for R/MR/Alpha One)

you got it right with #1 and #2

#3 - you're gonna have to remove the water passage hose from the transom assy before clamping it to the bell housing, then when you go to put the bell housing on install it on the barb on the transom assy - use the search function to find threads related to this, i have seen/read them

shift cable fed through the bell housing, then slide the bellows on with the clamp, attach end of cable to fish line (should have been run when removing the old cable), finish running cable into boat, then screw into bell houing from the aft

fyi - if you start a new thread asking NICELY for a manual for your drive, someone may post a link to a downloadable version - include serial number of drive in your post

 

[series60]

Re: Alpha (Gen I) Bell Housing Install

Here is a YouTube vid for the procedure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeFw2_jjAIA

 

[Bondo]

Re: Alpha (Gen I) Bell Housing Install

sounds like you need to get an OEM manual for your drive (#6 for R/MR/Alpha One)

Ayuh,.... I just stole this copy,... Have at it....

 

[Brentathon]

Re: Alpha (Gen I) Bell Housing Install

Thanks for the info.
I DO have the #6 manual.....but find that it's kinda "all over the place" with the order of operations. And, there's likely a lot of nice details that are omitted, that you guys can probably recommend.

I did not remove the water hose from the plastic tube on the gimbal housing. I saw no reason to do this. Is there any reason why I would have to remove it off the gimbal housing? Or, can I simply re-clamp it back on the Bell housing when I go to install bell housing?

Does the entire length of the shift cable have to be fed through the shift cable bellows? Isn't there the nut toward the aft end of the cable that necessitates this?

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Alpha (Gen I) Bell Housing Install

The Mercruiser manual #6 is very specific about sequence for installing the bell housing, give it a look.

I think you can finesse that hose back onto the bell housing without removing it from the transom tube. Here's a sequence.
Put the drive bellows on the bellhousing, follow the marks.
Put the water feed hose from the transom on the bellhousing.
Put the bell housing on the gimbal ring.
Put the shift cable through the bellhousing then through the shift bellows then through the transom.
Adjust the shift cable position carefully in the bellhousing per the instructions. This assures proper shifting. You can wait and clamp the small end of the shift bellows later if you want to find the optimal place for the clamp. I raise my drive and turn it full left to find where the bellows has to reach when extended.
Put the exhaust bellows on the transom. Then put it on the bellhousing. This is where you get frustrated and buy or make an exhaust bellows tool. You just can't put it onto the bellhousing with your hands. Mercstuff has a tool for it if you can't find or make one yourself.
And pay good attention to where the clamps face, it really makes a difference, do what Merc says.

 

[Brentathon]

Re: Alpha (Gen I) Bell Housing Install

Thanks for the reply!

But, shouldn't the exhaust bellows be clamped onto the Gimbal housing before you place the Bell housing onto the Gimbal ring? Wouldn't that be easier?
And...should you feed the shift cable thru the Bell housing, then thru the shift cable bellows, before you clamp the bellows onto the gimbal housing? It seems it would be easier to "work" the cable thru the bellows without the bellows being clamped-down.
Should you apply some grease to the outside of the shift cable, to help it slide thru the bellows easier?