Aftermarket Mercruiser parts, What are you using???

[crazy charlie]

Trying to avoid cheap China parts.Need 2 Transom kits for Alpha drives.(bellows, intake hose, gimbal bearing etc) China kits average $50 per kit. Sierra average $200 per kit, Quicksilver oem closer to 3-$400 per kit. What are you guys using?? Not a job that I trust to myself since I have never dome before.Charlie

 

[JASinIL2006]

For a critical part like bellows, especially since they’re a pain to change, I only use Quicksilver parts.

 

[Lou C]

Agreed, even though I have an OMC and can't just get parts down the street like Merc, I have OEM spares on hand for things like that, bellows, impeller, I have found that when comparing, things like the distributor and points and condenser sets are better quality when OEM vs Sierra. Will use Sierra when there is no more OEM available.

 

[airshot]

How often do you want to redo the job ?

 

[Lou C]

Exactly! The OEM Cobra bellows last 10 years easily in my experience I would think Merc is just as good. Last time I did mine was in 2016 and no cracks in the folds yet… but as soon as I see them it gets changed…

 

[Scott06]

Trying to avoid cheap China parts.Need 2 Transom kits for Alpha drives.(bellows, intake hose, gimbal bearing etc) China kits average $50 per kit. Sierra average $200 per kit, Quicksilver oem closer to 3-$400 per kit. What are you guys using?? Not a job that I trust to myself since I have never dome before.Charlie

Use the OEM quicksilver/mercruiser. The originals on my biat lasted 18 years, why screw with anything else. They will fit and last. Get a factory manual for your OD as it takes you through the job step by step

 

[Pmt133]

My original mercs went 15 years. The replacement sierra kit went about 6. The merc kit that replaced that was 293$. The sierra was 210$ at the time.

 

[Lou C]

So you see it doesn’t save that much!

 

[matt167]

Depends on what you’re talking about. A belt, you can literally spend $5 or $50 and get the same belt. Bellows cost so little extra it makes no sense to do anything other than OEM. Sierra water pump kits are okay as they last longer than the recommended replacement interval anyway

 

[airshot]

So you see it doesn’t save that much!

When you add in labor for having to redo more often....makes a bigger difference !

 

[Lou C]

Agreed with a bellows job, for one thing it's not that much fun to do, for another, if it leaks, even less fun.
I have shelves of OMC Cobra spares for this reason, I buy what I think I'll need, but sometimes don't need it as soon as I thought lol!

 

[Chris1956]

On my MerCruiser, I would routinely use automotive fan belts which were $10 vs $70 for Quicksilver ones. I also matched auto U joints (less than $10 ea) vs the Quicksilver ones at $50ea. For non-DIYs, using Quicksilver parts can make some sense, as they may (may) last longer, and installation costs can be significant.

Obviously, one needs to use marine carbs, starters and alternators, as they are special, boom-resistant devices. Marine gaskets are usually different (better) than auto ones, and thermostats are often a different style for marine use.

 

[gman546]

so many replies, so few real answers. https://www.sterndrive.cc/ you're welcome

 

[Scott06]

so many replies, so few real answers.

how so?

 

[bruceb58]

I only use OEM parts.