is this estimate reasonable?

[Fishermark]

Re: is this estimate reasonable?

...so i only need 1 special tool you say? can you give me the name or part number of the tool?

The typical "special" tools you will need (or not, as the case may be ):

Bellows expander tool - for the exhaust bellows. As noted above, you will not need it if you go with the tube. You may even find that if you reuse your exhaust bellows, it may go back on without too much difficulty. Putting a new exhaust bellows on can be a bear, but not always when reusing the old one. (And you need not worry about any damage done with using the old one - unlike the drive bellows.)

Hinge pin tool -- Again, as noted above, you can simply use a 1/2" allen wrench. Some have even discovered that the handle of a typical cold chisel is the same size.

Shift cable socket -- This is an extra deep 9/16" socket. I fashioned my own tool by welding two deep well sockets together.


I say go for it! The good news is that you really cannot do too much "damage" trying it yourself. If you get into it and discover it is more than you want to do, I would think shop or marine mechanic would be glad to take over from there. In fact, it would be a little less tearing apart that they would have to do.

 

[mysticowner]

Re: is this estimate reasonable?

"I would think shop or marine mechanic would be glad to take over from there. In fact, it would be a little less tearing apart that they would have to do."

I agree go for it.

The statement above reminded me of an old labor rate board we had in our electric shop at Owens Corning Fiberglas

Hourly Rates.

$25.00 per an hour
$45.00 per hour if you tried and couldn't do it
$85.00 per hour if you watch

I thought I'd throw that it go give you all a smile.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: is this estimate reasonable?

Trailer that bad boy out here to Lake Havasu. I'll do the install for you for $500 + cost of parts. Or, you bring the parts.
I am even Merc factory certified. Saves you 7 bills and you can test her out on my beautiful lake before you head home.
That's my winter price.
P/M me if you are interested.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: is this estimate reasonable?

By the way, I already have all of the correct tools. And have done these jobs, literally, hundreds of times.

 

[KermieB]

Re: is this estimate reasonable?

By the way, I already have all of the correct tools. And have done these jobs, literally, hundreds of times.

Good.. I'll ask you this question directly. I'm a first year boat owner. I bought a 1989 Sea Ray, 1 owner boat. It's been remarkably well taken care of for the last 20 years but had not been run for 1 1/2 years. The previous owner couldn't change a light bulb. It took very little effort and less than $150 to get this boat on the water WOT.

On outing number 8, the impeller went to pieces so I parked the boat in favor of college football season, but now I'm into repair mode. Because I have no idea how long it's been since this boat was serviced, I decided to change the bellows and bearing while I was working. Other than wishing I had bought the bellows expander tool that was suggested, everything went well until I tried to bolt the unit back up.

I've lined up the linkage and the shift shaft, and the cable. When I try to slide the unit up, it starts well but seems to bottom out. Like installing a transmission, I thought maybe the driveshaft splines were just off a hair, but after a couple of failed attempts, I filled the splines with grease and tried again. The grease is "pushed back" on the splines, so I know it's entering the receiver, but stops short of the six bolts coming through the upper unit enough to get a nut on them. (By the way, my unit didn't just flop off like the guy in the YouTube video I found. Mine was pretty tight and had to be pulled and wiggled to get off.)

I've tried turning the prop shaft counter clockwise, but to no avail. Should I take the lower unit OFF and try bolting the upper unit on first? I'm baffled. I don't see what the hold up is, and it's making me angry. What's the secret?

 

[KermieB]

Re: is this estimate reasonable?

By the way.. the above post is an Alpha I drive

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: is this estimate reasonable?

Good.. I'll ask you this question directly. I'm a first year boat owner. I bought a 1989 Sea Ray, 1 owner boat. It's been remarkably well taken care of for the last 20 years but had not been run for 1 1/2 years. The previous owner couldn't change a light bulb. It took very little effort and less than $150 to get this boat on the water WOT.

On outing number 8, the impeller went to pieces so I parked the boat in favor of college football season, but now I'm into repair mode. Because I have no idea how long it's been since this boat was serviced, I decided to change the bellows and bearing while I was working. Other than wishing I had bought the bellows expander tool that was suggested, everything went well until I tried to bolt the unit back up.

I've lined up the linkage and the shift shaft, and the cable. When I try to slide the unit up, it starts well but seems to bottom out. Like installing a transmission, I thought maybe the driveshaft splines were just off a hair, but after a couple of failed attempts, I filled the splines with grease and tried again. The grease is "pushed back" on the splines, so I know it's entering the receiver, but stops short of the six bolts coming through the upper unit enough to get a nut on them. (By the way, my unit didn't just flop off like the guy in the YouTube video I found. Mine was pretty tight and had to be pulled and wiggled to get off.)

I've tried turning the prop shaft counter clockwise, but to no avail. Should I take the lower unit OFF and try bolting the upper unit on first? I'm baffled. I don't see what the hold up is, and it's making me angry. What's the secret?

Your engine is out of alignment. See the adults only section at the top for the correct manual for your boat.

 

[KermieB]

Re: is this estimate reasonable?

Bingo.... I can see now that it must have been ever so slightly binding from mis-alignment. I've seen a couple of YouTube videos of this procedure and theirs slipped right off when coming apart. Mine didn't. I had to prize the drive unit off with two wedges.

I had the manual long before I started and had read it over several times, but I never found where it suggested the engine being askew. That piece of wisdom must come from someone who's been there....

Thanks for your help.