bellows ?

[starsnstripers]

1970 L6 250ci 165hp While im in there changing my shift cable/bellows. I noticed that the exhaust bellows has some small cracks on the concave sections of it. 1)What happens if it developes a leak? Where your pushing exhaust and water throug it anyway, 2)How crutial is it? 3)Also does the gimble need to be removed to do it? 4)Can the ujoint bellows be changed without removing the gimble? While im right here, 5) My exhaust flapper is missing in the exhaust tube, crucial? Thanks

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: bellows ?

1970 L6 250ci 165hp While im in there changing my shift cable/bellows. I noticed that the exhaust bellows has some small cracks on the concave sections of it. 1)What happens if it developes a leak? Where your pushing exhaust and water throug it anyway,
Not critical.....
2)How crutial is it?
Not critical....
3)Also does the gimble need to be removed to do it?
No.....
4)Can the ujoint bellows be changed without removing the gimble? While im right here,
I think you are referring to the bell housing, & no it does not absoloutely have to come off, but it is 100X easier if you do.....
5) My exhaust flapper is missing in the exhaust tube, crucial? Thanks

Make sure it is not stuck in the tube or in the drive.....
They are cheap to replace....

 

[ziggy]

Re: bellows ?

yer exhust bellows is least critical. it just routes exhust gas and water out thru the prop hub. if it leaks it's no big deal cause the water is in the exhust pipe anyways, up to water level... i don't think ya need to remove the gimble ring to service any of the items in yer description. the bellhouseing, yes. but that's where ya stop....might as well do a waterhose while yer there..... have fun with that... i'd do flappers... ya got yer exhust pipe off. ya drill out the riviots so ya can put a new one in. then re rivot and i believe silicon the ends.... so did ya have the new style shift cable already. so ya don't have to do the tap thing?

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: bellows ?

Thanks guys. And No on that Ziggy it has the old style still in there. Grrr! I'm going to have to tap it out. Must need a long tap handle to reach it though. Atleast it will be done. I think i'm going to leave the exhaust for now.I got enough to do. I think it will last the season. The ujoint bellows looks to be in better shape> is there a trick/test to tell? I'm trying to get from removing the gimble housing. Change what water line?

 

[ziggy]

Re: bellows ?

tappin out yer shift cable shouldn't be to bad. specially now that ya know to use the nps tap. for depth, a buddy a mine had some 8pt sockets... just the ticket to drive the tap on an extension.... i hear ya on the exhust bellows, i didn't do mine either.... yer so close to the drive shaft bellow though. i'd think do it. i know of no way to check them, and they sure are mighty critical. yer bellhouseing is gonna come off anyways, so yer bellows are gonna be disconnected from one end at the least anyways. the bellhouseings gotta go to get to the old style shift cable drive. it's only the nails and to pins that holds the bellhouseing on. the water hose i refer to is the one that goes between the bellhouseing and the gimble houseing(transom shield).... it's a real bear to get the connection made at the gimble hoseing (purposefully misspelled)end...... ya really shouldnt have to pull the gimble houseing for anything yer doing. yer all around it, but the gimble ring and gimble houseing ya can leave in place.

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: bellows ?

I already cut the old cable short. I can get a deep socket in there to get that out. Sorry, I was meaning bellhousing when i said gimble housing. Well Ya probably talked me into it. I'll probably gat a nice day(weather) soon and get real energetic and pull the bellhousing. Change hose, (3) bellows besides it will be eisier to put my new gimble bearing in too. As the task list grows. Thanks guys, off to get more parts.

 

[MikDee]

Re: bellows ?

You can always get that cheaper Mercruiser rubber funnel shaped spout, to replace the exhaust bellows. It is a bit louder, because it is cutoff, and doesn't connect to the bellhousing, and leaves you with no thru the prop exhaust.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: bellows ?

Good call on changing all the bellows while your in there.

The exhaust flapper is critical as it keeps water from pushing back up into the exhaust and into the engine. Saves the engine from hydro-locking if a wave hits the stern or the boat dies and water swamps the stern.

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: bellows ?

Yeah, gonna get a flap and a real bellows dont want to scare the fish. But thanks for the tips