Restoring my drive bell housing

[Rivergator]

After the success of my Y pipe restoration I felt empowered to do the same to my bell housing. Unfortunately my original bell housing was beyond any hope of repair. The corrosion had eaten away most of the bellow rim way beyond the groove. I knew I needed to shop for a new one. The best I saw on ebay was $250. I also saw a few cheaper ones because they had minor damage on the bellow rim. I made an offer on one of them for $150 ($50 below the asking price) and they took it. I took it to my welder who filled in the 2 damaged areas for 40 bucks. Again it took quite a bit of grinding, filing and shaping on my part to restore the bellow rim. The last step was a good coat of paint. Now this bell helmet is solid and as good as new. Another otherwise good part saved from the recycling bin.

 

[poconojoe]

I flipped when I saw your title!
Restore a Bell helmet!
I was thinking...helmets have a shelf life and any tiny damage would render them unsafe. To me, old helmets are not to be "restored", but just thrown out.

But....then I read your post...and figured....darn spell correct!!!!!

Anyway, great job restoring your bell (housing)!

And thanks for the thread. It may help others in the future save some hard earned cash.

 

[Rivergator]

LOL. Yes, I remember some 50 years ago Bell motorcycle and racing helmets were a household word. I don't even know if they are still around. But that was not what I was fixing. You are right those helmets should not be fixed if damaged in any way. But in the Mercruiser world I have heard guys refer to the bell housing, which is the correct name, also the bell helmet to avoid confusion with the flywheel/coupler cover.

 

[achris]

@Rivergator

I can't look at your title much longer. Where I am, 'bell helmet' has other connotations. I get the possible mix up with the engine flywheel housing also being known (in a car) as a bell housing. Would you have any objection if I changed it to 'Restoring my drive bell housing'?

This is the official name designated by the manufacturer...



Chris........

 

[dwco5051]

I 'm with Poconojoe on the title. The first thing I thought was the 50 year old helmet still in my shop somewhere must have some value if someone is restoring one. Should have kept the old Indian Chief and thrown the helmet away. Would be dollars ahead today.

 

[tank1949]

Looks like a salt water used OD. You must know a great TIG welder. My experience with TIG-n saltwater used aluminum has been less that desirable. But, I had cataracts at the time. Good job!

 

[Rivergator]

@Rivergator

I can't look at your title much longer. Where I am, 'bell helmet' has other connotations. I get the possible mix up with the engine flywheel housing also being known (in a car) as a bell housing. Would you have any objection if I changed it to 'Restoring my drive bell housing'?
Chris........

Chris, "Restoring my drive bell housing" is just fine. I even acknowledged that in my post that this is the correct name. Sorry to touch on a nerve hear, but the term bell helmet is being used even by at least one Mercruiser dealer. The first time I heard it was 3 months ago when I was scouting for a good bell housing. I called up a dealer near Mandeville LA who a friend told me about and who was supposed to have good Mercruiser parts up to the ying ying. I asked him if he had a good corrosion free Alpha One bell housing and he said 'I sure do'. I asked him how much and he said '100 bucks'. I told him to hold on to it (that sounded to good to be true) I will be there tomorrow. So I made the 300 mile round trip to his Boat Works Inc. and when I got there he proudly showed me a near new 4.3 ltr. engine flywheel housing including new rear engine mounts. I took a deep breath and told him what I was looking for. 'Oh, you want a bell helmet, hell, why didn't you say so. I don't have any, sorry.
There you go but I promise I will not ever use that horrible language again.

 

[MagKarl]

Nice work man, I'm a big fan of rebuilt over bought.

 

[Rivergator]

Nice work man, I'm a big fan of rebuilt over bought.

Then you really appreciate what I did to my Y pipe. See thread "Restoring my Y pipe"
tank1949, Salt water or no salt water, what difference does it make? After I cleaned out and ground away all the corrosion rot to the clean aluminum it was easy welding if you know what you are doing and the welder I know is a great welder.