120 mercruiser bellows...help

[mharmer34]

I have an 1987 120 mercruiser with the alpha one outdrive..i recently noticed the exhaust bellows has a small tear in it..my question is this,..i ve heard alot of people putting in the exhaust "tube",instead of a new bellows...Is this is a good idea or should i just tough it out and replace the bellows?
Also,my shift cable moves freely,but i was having slight problems getting the boat in reverse,should i replace the entire cable,or is it possible it is just adjustment...

thanks for all the great advise on this website...it has been a great help......

matt

 

[Don S]

Re: 120 mercruiser bellows...help

The exhaust tube won't hurt anything, it's just an easier way of doing the job the right way. It's a little louder, but won't damage anything if used.
The tube was orginally designed to help relieve the excess pressure off the exhaust on the higher HP V8's, something a 120 won't have a problem with.