1986 Mercruiser Alpha One (Gen 1) Transom leaking

[Mkongsiri]

I'm fairly new to boating and was looking for some guidance, so please excuse my nubeness. I recently purchased a 1986 Wellcraft 190 American with a Mercruiser 170 and Alpha One outdrive. On initial launch of the boat, i noticed the boat taking on water as soon as the rear was lowered into the water. Further examination revealed that water is leaking past the gimbal housing into the boat. I do have some experience working on outdrives having restored an old carver with an OMC stringer outdrive so I feel confident I can tackle this. My question is it possible to removal the gimbal housing and install new seals (and replace bellows/bearing/while its out) without removing the engine? Any tips would be appreciated. cheers!

 

[Bt Doctur]

revealed that water is leaking past the gimbal housing into the boat.

And this means you actually saw the water leaking in from a vent hole just above the inputshaft? If so, then the main bellow is damaged/leaking and can be replaced without removing the engine. Everything but the transom housing can be repaired with the engine in.
If you meant the leak was from the transom housing then the engine must be removed

 

[Mkongsiri]

Thank you for the response and unfortunately not the response I was hoping for. When I pulled the boat out of the water, water was pouring out ofrom around the transom housing. After closer inspection, there is a visible gap between the housing and the boat transom. Im just curious though, it appears the housing is held in place by 4 bolts, steering linkage, hydraulic lines, shift linkage, etc. What is it that requires the engine to be removed to detach it?

 

[harleyman1975]

Me thinks you might have bigger problems...I'll cross my fingers for you.

 

[bman440440]

my 1st idea was your shifter cable bellow is bad but if there is a "visible gap" you need to pull your out drive and engine and find out exactly what's going on there... can you post a pic of this "gap"?

 

[JASinIL2006]

I think the "bigger problems" to which several previous posters have alluded is a rotten transom. Have you tested the integrity of the wood around the transom housing by poking it with a screwdriver? If the wood is soft and/or wet, you do have bigger problems, unfortunately.

 

[Mkongsiri]

Yes,transom rot is of course a concern. A cursory visual examination does not show any indications as well as a couple of holes drilled checking for moisture. I don't think Ill know for sure until i get the transom housing off.

 

[Fishermark]

I would be surprised (shocked actually) if you do not have a rotten transom. But you will be able to see that better when you pull things off. In order to get the transom assembly off you will need to pull the engine and then the exhaust tube. You can then take the bolts / nuts off from the inner transom assembly and pull off the outer transom assembly. You can then evaluate your transom. You will have to do all of that even to simply replace the seal.

 

[Fishermark]

One of my recent project boats I restored was basically the same boat. It was a 1985 Wellcraft Pan American 192 pictured here:

Here's what you will see when you pull the engine to give you an idea of what will need to come off next:

 

[Fishermark]

The transom on that boat was rotten. I ended up having to strip it down and put new plywood and fiberglass...

 

[Bt Doctur]

The engine is supported by the rear mount ,that is the inner transom assembly. That is bolted to the outer transom assembly.If this gap is at the very bottom of the transom , that would indicate the 2 bottom anode bolts have broken or corroded away and it suffered a very hard bottom strike.

 

[Bt Doctur]

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Install/gas/86016900.pdf

 

[Mkongsiri]

No Title

Thanks for all the help! Honestly when I got the boat, it appeared the trailer was a little too short for the boat so it tips backwards very easily. Ive been careful to lower the front of the trailer as much as possible and make sure it doesnt tip back but Im sure this thing has crashed down on the outdrive more than once. Now that Im looking at it, I can actually move the outdrive up to widen the gap at the bottom. Im getting a queasy feeling in my stomach just thinking about pulling this engine. Would it be possible to try replacing the bottom anode bolts and see if that will tighten it up? Dont think that will create a water tight seal though....It maybe time for craigslist....

 

[Fishermark]

The engine is easy to pull. Fixing the problem may be a little more involved! MAYBE your bolts are simply loose. (I doubt it). But who knows? Maybe you'll get lucky! But as long as you have an engine hoist or come along and an appropriate place to pull the engine - it can be done with little to no difficulty.

 

[Mkongsiri]

Well I was dreading doing another engine pull after the hassle of dealing with a 351W out of my old Carver cabin cruiser. But it doesnt look too bad, I may consider tackling it. Ive never attempted replacing a rotted transom, but I guess there's always a first!

 

[Jcris]

I really feel for you bud,
That looks like a lot of work. Anything is doable but at what cost. Maybe it is time to seriously consider moving it along. Trouble is you need to be honest about needed repairs and that will make it difficult to sell. Tough spot, hope you're not into it for too much.
Good luck
Jcris

 

[s.hadley81]

looking at your pic it appears someone tried to seal that with caulk at one point. I wish you luck hopefully you don't have to replace the transom but there are bunch of great guys on here with a ton knowledge to help you through it.

 

[JASinIL2006]

looking at your pic it appears someone tried to seal that with caulk at one point. I wish you luck hopefully you don't have to replace the transom but there are bunch of great guys on here with a ton knowledge to help you through it.

That's what I thought, too, looking at the picture. Suggests the leak is not a recent development.

 

[Benny67]

looking at your pic it appears someone tried to seal that with caulk at one point.

So true..That was a known problem to the previous owner I would imagine.

The person who sold you the boat is a real jerk...they fully knew it was an issue and never disclosed it to you.

How could someone at the end of the day put their head on their pillow and go to sleep fully knowing they screwed someone like that?

 

[Mkongsiri]

Well I had my fiberglass guy come out today and take a look. After drilling some core samples, it's as you guys had suggested, the transom is rotted out. On the upside though he did say the rest of the hull was in good shape. He's done work for me before and I trust his assessment, he quoted me $800 to $1000 to rebuild the entire transom. Considering I bought the boat and the trailer for $800, I guess I could be worse off. Thanks everyone for all the help and advice!