ballpark figure for reference

sailor3X7

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 5, 2004
Messages
140
I think I am going to chicken out on pulling my lower unit and trying to do some repair myself. I think I will call a mechanic and get an estimate. It is leaking water into the bilge when the outdrive is up and it stops when lowered. So, my plan was to remove the lower unit and replace everything that was rubber or considered preventative maintenance (like the impeller etc.) I know the information is vague, but that is all I know at this point. Can anyone tell me what kind of price range to expect to get rough estimates in?
 

itstim

Seaman
Joined
May 31, 2004
Messages
52
Re: ballpark figure for reference

You need to list what engine/outdrive/boat/year.<br /><br />But if it's merc. my guess would be shift cable bellows. You wouldn't pull lower unit you would pull whole outdrive (those 6 bolts and the aft end of rams...put trans in all the way forward. Guesstimate on shop repair would be about $500.00...if they didn't find anything else. But if you do it yourself about $50.00...if it's just the shift bellows. The thing is, while you've got the outdrive off you need to check a few other things. Go to mercstuff.com and read up. I'm just a puke amateur...the Pros can tell you alot more. hopefully, this will give you a few things to think about til they answer. My thoughts are if we're going to own boats we need to learn how to work on 'em (unless we're rich! and I ain't!)
 

sailor3X7

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 5, 2004
Messages
140
Re: ballpark figure for reference

Well you are right. I may try to keep up the courage to tackle it. I'm not a rich guy either.<br />I did forget to include my details on the boat.<br />it is a 1969 Glastron 160 I/L 6 Mercruiser. I guess your reply was really what I was looking for. The motivation to try it myself. $500 is about 25 percent of what I paid for the boat in the first place.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,308
Re: ballpark figure for reference

$500.00 is a Low-Ball Figure...........<br />It Could go Alot Higher............
 

itstim

Seaman
Joined
May 31, 2004
Messages
52
Re: ballpark figure for reference

that is the same eng/year/outdrive as mine....
 

itstim

Seaman
Joined
May 31, 2004
Messages
52
Re: ballpark figure for reference

....and Bondo is right...that is a low figure. Friend o' mine took his into the shop the other day for a similiar problem (frozen gimbal bearing) and they want $1300.00. I couldn't afford to keep a boat ('specially one as old as ours) if I hadn't learned to work on 'em. If you don't have a manual get one now $36.00 now will save you $100.00s ($1000.00s ?) later and when you get stuck just post. There are some real pros on this site who want to help but you have to help them. remember, give them as much info as you can.
 

sailor3X7

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 5, 2004
Messages
140
Re: ballpark figure for reference

Thanks for the encouragement - and I know you are right. I really need to do this myself. The good thing is that I have all winter to do it.<br />I will definately get a manual. That's kind of cool that we have the exact same engine/outdrive. I have really had a good time working on it and trying to improve it. For the most part working on the boat is not work to me, it is all joy. I love messing about in boats.
 

rodbolt

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 1, 2003
Messages
20,066
Re: ballpark figure for reference

the old style shift cable is getting hard to find<br /> you will need to convert it to the aft entry style. it requires a 1/4 straight(non-tapered) pipe tap.<br /> other than that is a very simple task.<br /> good luck and keep posting
 

sailor3X7

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 5, 2004
Messages
140
Re: ballpark figure for reference

Commander Rodbolt: It sounds like I may be sending up a signal flare looking for you when I get to that point. I am probably going to be doing this pretty slowly because of both time and money. Thanks for the additional information.
 
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