Need to check shutters… any tips?

[JASinIL2006]

So I need to check the shutters on my exhaust system (350 Mag Alpha One Gen 2, std. thru-prop exhaust). It looks like that entails removing the cast iron elbows and the heavy rubber tubes on either side of the elbows so I can look into the Y-pipe.

Are there any tricks to make it easier to remove this stuff? I recall having a rough time fitting the tubes when I reinstalled the engine during my restoration. I’m just wondering if the is any particular sequence or techniques that will make removal and reinstallation a little easier?

Thanks!

 

[flashback]

I would loosen the clamps at the Y pipe remove the water feed hoses to the elbow then pull the elbow bolts and remove the elbow and down elbow as a single unit.. nothing gets misaligned so it will go back easy...

 

[alldodge]

With soap and a hose pic (Phillips screw drive also works) you can work the boots off and look down the Y to get access. A heat gun can soften them up to make them a bit easier.

Agree removing the elbows makes it even easier but it can be done without

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... What I have done is,.... Loosen the clamps on both rubber boots,.. with a hose pick, loosen the rubber boots, slide the lower ones down onto the y-pipe, 'n the top ones onto the down-turn elbow, then lift out the elbows,..... A squirt of Power Tune, makes the rubber slide Alot easier,.....
Never had to pull the risers,....

 

[flashback]

If you're confident in the condition of the elbow then do it leaving the elbow in place. Mine were rotten from rust so I got new ones..

 

[Scott06]

Use power tune behind the rubber couplings for some slide. I was able to slide mine down the wye pipe and spin the down elbows off without taking the riser elbows off

 

[Lou C]

That or silicone spray, I have checked mine without having to remove the elbows as well. Kinda depends on how long they've been on there. Here in the salt pond they get taken off every 5 years…

 

[Grub54891]

just did mine with the power tune lube like Bondo said. No need to remove the risers or anything. Took me about a half hour but I take my time.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Thanks for all the tips on getting at the exhaust shutters. A bit of PowerTune and some contortions to get at the boot, and I was able to push it down over the Y-tube.

I think I lucked out. Despite the engine running for about 45-50 seconds without water running thru the muffs, the shutters look fine, pretty much how they looked when I re-installed the engine several years ago. They are intact and the flappers do indeed freely flap. I guess I dodged a bullet. A picture and a video of of the starboard shutters are below.

Thanks again for the tips!

 

[dubs283]

Nice bubbling of the rubber at the hinges

Would be a fail ime. Time to replace, you've already done the work, easy to swap out with it all apart

 

[Grub54891]

They usually are closed when sitting. Mine were like your's and they didn't work properly. Replace them.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Ugh. I didn't realize their resting position was fully closed. I was hoping I could avoid replacing but I might as well put in a new set as long as I'm this far.

These things are pricey... $80 each for Quicksilver parts. (Knockoffs are much less - about a third the cost - but I don't much care for cheap replacements for things that are such a pain to replace.)

Thanks again to everyone for your comments and help.

 

[Lou C]

Once you got it apart just get it done; you know it’ll bother u if you don’t