Looking for advice on a Mercruiser 3.0...

[jonjoshaddison]

Just bought a '98' Bayliner with a number of issues; starter bolts broken, bad gimble bearing, and bad floor. I have already pulled the motor and fixed the starter issue, cut open the floor and removed the rot, pulled the gas tank and cleaned it, and removed the outdrive. Now I am ready for parts and here are my questions... Aftermarket Marine has good prices, but are the parts good quality (bellows and gimble bearing)? Is there anything I should be careful of when pulling and replacing the gimble bearing? I don't want to damage anything. I have a wide experience on everything from Hot Rods, to motorcycles to skid steers, but no experience with out drives... My last question is regarding the type of fiberglass resin that I should use to put the floor back in, polyester or epoxy? Thanks for your help.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Looking for advice on a Mercruiser 3.0...

Welcome aboard!

I have ordered several things from Aftermarket Marine, and yes they do have good prices. They sell several different brands of parts... I know most here would recommend the OEM Quicksilver brand for the bellows.

For the fiberglass question, you might want to post that in the restoration forum.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Looking for advice on a Mercruiser 3.0...

I installed a set of bellows from Amarket and they lasted 5 years, then I got rid of the boat. I got out of them what I wanted as I'd service them at 5 years anyway.

One thing I've heard is to always use the Merc lower shift cable, MUCH better quality and something you don't want to have problems with. I didn't have problems with the one I got from Amarket, but will be using a genuine Merc cable when I replace it next time.

 

[proxyx]

Re: Looking for advice on a Mercruiser 3.0...

You can use slide hammer and knock the bearing out (work 360 degrees, not one spot). I'd leave it when the whole boat fixed up and have someone install if for me if worried that you can damage. Go to the mechanic with drive off, 15 min.
Most parts are probably made in China anyway, LOL, so your call whether Merc or anything else.
Polyester resin is better to use where you'll put gelcoat on top as gel doesn't stick to epoxy. Polyester is much cheaper... and all boats are made with polyester, not epoxy. Epoxy adheres better and is stronger. For floor work epoxy would stick better to exposed wood. You may need a large quantity of resin... considering the price polyester would be better. I'd go with polyester even though it's easier to work with epoxy (but not that much).

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Looking for advice on a Mercruiser 3.0...

You can use slide hammer and knock the bearing out (work 360 degrees, not one spot).

Curious...have you ever removed a gimbal bearing?

You can't go around the bearing at 360 becuase it is in a rotating housing. You need to use an internal 3 jaw puller or at least a two jaw puller becuase it has to pull out straight.

 

[meesh]

Re: Looking for advice on a Mercruiser 3.0...

I guess I was lucky with aftermarket parts. Bellows cable etc. No problems. The one thing I did have problems with was a aftermarket raw water pump. I started with a whole pump kit and my manis kept running hot. I changed to a merc impeller and it improved but not enough. When I tossed the whole kit in the garbage and bought a complete merc kit my problem went away. Just something to think about.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Looking for advice on a Mercruiser 3.0...

You can't go around the bearing at 360 becuase it is in a rotating housing. You need to use an internal 3 jaw puller or at least a two jaw puller becuase it has to pull out straight.

Ayuh,... I just run the Bar through the bearing,+ put a Nut,'n Washer in the Inside....
Slam, Slam, it's Usually Out...

 

[proxyx]

Re: Looking for advice on a Mercruiser 3.0...

Curious...have you ever removed a gimbal bearing?

You can't go around the bearing at 360 becuase it is in a rotating housing. You need to use an internal 3 jaw puller or at least a two jaw puller becuase it has to pull out straight.

That's how I did that.

Here's another way:
http://www.mercstuff.com/gimbalbearing1.htm

Ayuh,... I just run the Bar through the bearing,+ put a Nut,'n Washer in the Inside....
Slam, Slam, it's Usually Out...

and that did't work for me at all, maybe size of the bar matters...?
matter of prefs. you do it once and you know what to look for

 

[jonjoshaddison]

Re: Looking for advice on a Mercruiser 3.0...

Thanks to all who replied. I'm going to try a slide hammer on the gimbal bearing this weekend, I'll let y'all know how it make out...

 

[Don S]

Re: Looking for advice on a Mercruiser 3.0...

Here's another way:
http://www.mercstuff.com/gimbalbearing1.htm

That is NOT the way to replace a gimbal bearing. That site also gives directions on using a tapered tap for the shift cable. Also not a good idea. Can cost you a bellhousing.

Read this Mercruiser service bulletin from 1985.
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Bullet/85/85_26.pdf

 

[jonjoshaddison]

Re: Looking for advice on a Mercruiser 3.0...

I don't want to destroy anything, and I appreciate the advice. I'll slow down and do some more research. I've got plenty of other things on the boat that I can do this weekend. Thanks.

 

[jonjoshaddison]

Re: Looking for advice on a Mercruiser 3.0...

I'm half way there. I did more reading and this morning the gimble bearing and carrier are out... Greate advice guys, let's get ice cream! Thanks again.