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  1. J

    I'm doing my Bellows. Mercruiser A1G1. Are the Amazon Bellows Kits any good?

    Mercruiser parts are made to their standards. When they are copied they are made to a price point. When that happens concessions have to be made in the manufacturing process and cheaper materials are used.
  2. J

    I'm doing my Bellows. Mercruiser A1G1. Are the Amazon Bellows Kits any good?

    Last fall when I changed out the bellows on one of my boats I was surprised by the condition. They were the originals from 2005 and still useable with no cracks but I figured it was time. Garage storage with the drive down seems to have been kind to the rubber components.
  3. J

    I'm doing my Bellows. Mercruiser A1G1. Are the Amazon Bellows Kits any good?

    They can feel pliable, however it’s the fitment that matters. Perhaps you got luckily and found a good aftermarket kit, you’ll find out when you install. For me, the labor involved I wanted to use OEM. Numerous people have had issues with the OD tolerance of some aftermarket gimbal bearings. I...
  4. J

    Snapped the dreaded Mercruiser transom Drive Lube Fitting....

    The telescoping pen magnets I have stuck fine to it. Most of the stainless fasteners used on my Sea Ray are low grade stainless and fairly magnetic.
  5. J

    Snapped the dreaded Mercruiser transom Drive Lube Fitting....

    When I changed out my bellows and gear line fitting I used a long pick to remove the e-clip. For reinstallation I tied a piece of thread to it so it wouldn’t fly away trying to get it on. I used a telescoping pen magnet and put the clip on the magnet and was able to maneuver it into place and...
  6. J

    New Exhaust Manifold surface prep? 4.3 Mercruiser

    Barr recommends to remove the paint on the gasket sealing surface.
  7. J

    4.3 milk maker

    When the plugs are removed to empty the water in the block and manifolds, you must insert a screwdriver or something similar into the holes to verify they aren’t blocked by rust and holding water.
  8. J

    Harbor freight jack.

    I have a few of the Daytona jacks and nothing but good things to say. If you get any jack from HF, check the oil level. Often they’re low.
  9. J

    Leak into bilge, bellows?

    Your splines on the outdrive driveshaft most likely need rotated some to mate with the coupler. With the outdrive in gear I use the prop while pushing it on and it will fall in once the driveshaft lines up.
  10. J

    Leak into bilge, bellows?

    I used zip ties.
  11. J

    Leak into bilge, bellows?

    Here is a thread from when I did my bellows in the fall and an order I used for assembly. Post in thread 'Bellows Installation' https://forums.iboats.com/threads/bellows-installation.775185/post-5949853 I used a zip tie on the gear lube hose.
  12. J

    Gen 2 water and oil hose

    For the gear oil hose you need one rated for oil. Here are some options and what I believe is OEM: Parker PUSH-ON B704 or Dayco Eastman B704 1/4" ID 300 psi Parker PUSH-ON B704 1/4in ID. Part number: 32-8M0040618...
  13. J

    Alpha one gen 2 transom to outdrive gear lube hose

    It can be replaced without a full tear down, you will need a set of fairly long needle nose pliers. You must cut the hose off the plastic fitting on the transom and avoid pulling too hard on the fitting or it will break. I’d recommend using the long needle nose pliers holding a razor blade and...
  14. J

    Bellows Installation

    Took the boat out and everything went well. Shifted good with no issue, this was my first time adjusting the shift cable but the process is pretty easy. I’m surprised no one with a 3D printer hasn’t made a fixture/holder that allows you to adjust the lower to 6” with just using two fixed point...
  15. J

    1997 5.7l water in oil. replace?

    in addition to the new engine consider at least testing the manifolds for cracks or replace. A new or good used intake wouldn’t be a bad investment as well so you can do it once and be done.
  16. J

    Bellows Installation

    I got my bellows installed and it’s about done, need to hookup and adjust shift cable still. Here is what I can offer for my installation order: 1. Installed new trim senders. 2. Push on new gear oil hose to the transom fitting. I used a small zip tie but it’s not likely needed. I did use...
  17. J

    Bellows Installation

    To help anyone in the future, the hose that came with the Mercrusier bellow kit is a Parker 1/4” Jiffy Hose Push On # 7212-251BK. My work has a Parker store a few businesses down, I went today and they didn’t have anymore of the above hose in-stock but gave me a few feet of Parker 801 1/4” Push...
  18. J

    Bellows Installation

    Also, I measured the oil line provided in the OEM kit and it was 9.5”. The manual states 10” and others are recommending longer. If it needs to be longer, then it’s odd that the OEM kit shorts you. It appears my speedometer hose was tucked in behind the water inlet hose. Just wanted to see if...
  19. J

    Bellows Installation

    I ended up breaking the gear lube fitting. I think I may have a new world record for changing out the fitting. I have a 4.3L with decent engine access once the side panels are removed. I got the old fitting in about 10 minutes. I used a 20” or so long flat head screw driver to reach in and...
  20. J

    Bellows Installation

    Do you recommend a better order for install in reference to #1?
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