'88 Chaparrel w/ twin 350's (260)

[Ffranzwa]

I'm pulling both outdrives to replace the U-Joints, bellows, H2O pumps and gimble bearings. I have water leaking into the stern on the port side (I'm guessing exhaust and U-Joint bellows?) and a "growling" noise when I turn the steering wheel left or right (I'm guessing gimble bearings?). I drained the port side drive and the gear lube looks new (I drained the fluid last fall and I only put about 40 hours on the boat this summer), but the starboard drive fluid came out blackish-colored and appeared to have some fine metal debris. I pulled the starboard drive and it appears that someone had already replaced the U-Joint before I bought the boat (I've owned it for 5 years), and the gimble spins freely. I pulled the port side drive (the one with clean oil) and found water in the Joint, a dry gimble, and rubber remnants inside the Joint bellow. My questions are these:
-Any idea what might be causing dirty fluid in an otherwise perfect looking outdrive.
-Any tricks/tips helpful in replacing the items mentioned earlier.
-Do I need to purchase an alignment tool to re-install the drives and where do I get one.
-Does anyone sell a complete gasket/seal kit for repairing the above items.
-Do I need to pull the bellhousing to assist in replacing the bellows.
-Do I need new shift cables.
Thanks for a great blog!

 

[45Auto]

Re: '88 Chaparrel w/ twin 350's (260)

-Any idea what might be causing dirty fluid in an otherwise perfect looking outdrive.

Could be just old oil. Could be a bearing or gear wearing. Change the oil and keep an eye on it.

-Any tricks/tips helpful in replacing the items mentioned earlier.

Buy yourself an exhaust bellows expander. Best $40 I ever spent. Exhaust bellows take about 3 hours without the tool, about 3 minutes with the tool.

-Do I need to purchase an alignment tool to re-install the drives and where do I get one.

YES!!! Or you may be re-doing the gimbal bearing or coupler very shortly. The alignment should be checked annually. You can get the tools on Ebay for less than $50.

-Does anyone sell a complete gasket/seal kit for repairing the above items.

Several different people sell complete kits. I believe Iboats here does. I've used both Mercruiser and Sierra kits, I can't tell the difference. Some people on here swear that the Mercruiser stuff is better. Never heard anybody claim that Sierra was better.

-Do I need to pull the bellhousing to assist in replacing the bellows.

It makes it much easier. I replace the water pick-up hose at the same time (comes in the kit).

-Do I need new shift cables.

If you're not having any trouble shifting then no, you don't.

Go to the "Adults Only" sticky at the top of this forum and download the factory manuals fo your engine and drive, #6 and #9. They're invaluable for maintaining your boat.

Welcome Aboard!

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: '88 Chaparrel w/ twin 350's (260)

What 45Auto said.

(And it's spelled Chaparral, by-the-way.)

 

[SuperNova]

Re: '88 Chaparrel w/ twin 350's (260)

-Any idea what might be causing dirty fluid in an otherwise perfect looking outdrive.
Thanks for a great blog!

1-On a twin drive setup if one engine is out of sync with the other it could be doing a lot more of the work with the resulting extra wear, tear, heat and oil breakdown.
2-It's not a blog, it's a forum.