tawilliams
Cadet
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2012
- Messages
- 20
Hey gang,
I am almost done with my full bellows job on my 2002 searay 176. I did run into a few problem areas and wanted to ask the experts if my solutions were acceptable.
First, the alum retaining ring for the ujoint bellows did not want to go in so I used my finger with a little 10w30 to lube the bellows and the alum ring. I did not get a bunch on there but just enough to make it a bit slippery and it went right in. It is in there solid and I can lift the housing up and down and doesn't seem like it would slip out. Am I in any danger of that little bit out oil in there making it slip out?
Second problem was when I checked the engine alignment. I did not change the gimbal bearing nor did I mess with the motor mounts and the alignment was a little off. It was a little resistant when I pushed it in and the spline marks were on the top and not the bottom. I then followed the directions here about using a rubber mallet with the alignment tool to hit the top/bottom/left/right sides and then checked again and not the spline marks go all the way around but its still a little hard to push in and out. It doesn't take a lot of force but its not "two finger" like some have described. Should I leave it alone or start cranking on the motor mount?
Last issue is with the exhaust bellows. First thing is I used bellows adhesive on the transom side, will this cause any issue other than being harder to take off next time? On the bell housing side I was able to get it on with my homemade tool but its not seated all the way against the bell housing, these is probably a 1/4in gap. The clamp tightened solidly, will this slip off and if it does will it cause any issue.
This has been my first boat wrenching exercise and overall has not been too hard, as long as the boat doesn't sink when I put in it the water I would say it was an overall success.
I am almost done with my full bellows job on my 2002 searay 176. I did run into a few problem areas and wanted to ask the experts if my solutions were acceptable.
First, the alum retaining ring for the ujoint bellows did not want to go in so I used my finger with a little 10w30 to lube the bellows and the alum ring. I did not get a bunch on there but just enough to make it a bit slippery and it went right in. It is in there solid and I can lift the housing up and down and doesn't seem like it would slip out. Am I in any danger of that little bit out oil in there making it slip out?
Second problem was when I checked the engine alignment. I did not change the gimbal bearing nor did I mess with the motor mounts and the alignment was a little off. It was a little resistant when I pushed it in and the spline marks were on the top and not the bottom. I then followed the directions here about using a rubber mallet with the alignment tool to hit the top/bottom/left/right sides and then checked again and not the spline marks go all the way around but its still a little hard to push in and out. It doesn't take a lot of force but its not "two finger" like some have described. Should I leave it alone or start cranking on the motor mount?
Last issue is with the exhaust bellows. First thing is I used bellows adhesive on the transom side, will this cause any issue other than being harder to take off next time? On the bell housing side I was able to get it on with my homemade tool but its not seated all the way against the bell housing, these is probably a 1/4in gap. The clamp tightened solidly, will this slip off and if it does will it cause any issue.
This has been my first boat wrenching exercise and overall has not been too hard, as long as the boat doesn't sink when I put in it the water I would say it was an overall success.
