Bellows replacement?

[Brett Barnhart]

I'm currently refurbishing my 1985 Ebbtide Bowrider. It has a Mercruiser 470R powerplant. This boat has approximately 200 engine hours and has been garage stored outside of those 200 hours so it has not seen much water time. The boat is in great shape but it needs to have a few things addressed.

My main question is ... should I be looking to replace the bellows? How would I know for sure? There are no current signs of water intrusion. The gimble bearing seems fine after close inspection with the drive unit off.

My concern is that I am investing in a new upper and lower drive unit. While I'm at this stage, should I go ahead and change some of these key components? Eve though the boat has not seen much water time, is it likely to expect the bellows to be dry rotted / cracked ... just due to time?

 

[ErieRon]

Re: Bellows replacement?

Well, I sure would if it's original. It should not have any signs of water or oil in it, but if it hasn't been used a lot I would think that would be hard to tell. If it was stored for long periods with the drive up, it could have developed a memory which could lead to future cracking. It's really a judgment call.

Probably a good time to replace your lower shift cable as well if it's original.

Some of this stuff just degrades/deteriorates due to age alone.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Bellows replacement?

As you have it off, you should do the bellows. Dont waste the time having to do it again. Time is the enemy of a boat not use. They die of not being used.
Id also go with a tube rather than the bellows, easier, way eaiser.

Don S. signiture,
Why is there never time to do it right the first time, but always time to do it again.

 

[Bronc Rider]

Re: Bellows replacement?

I would change the bellows. The thing to remember is that they are supposed to be replaced before they fail. If you do the bellows I would do the shift cable and impeller also.

 

[Brett Barnhart]

Re: Bellows replacement?

Thank you. I agree with you. I just hate to buy all the tools that are recommended to get this done.

 

[Thad]

Re: Bellows replacement?

You are never any closer than you are right now.

The meaning behind that is; your there, do it. Ya, buying the tools can be a hassle. But for what you are doing I think you need nothing more then an alignment tool and the bearing fitting, well, and a slide hammer with a puller.
You are going to replace the gimbal bearing while you're there, right?

Back to the buying part. If you plan on boating for any number of years, buying a different boat in the future, yada, yada, then it is a good idea to have those tools anyway. Otherwise, you take it into the shop and pay for someone elses tools.
I actually borrowed the alignment tool from my mechanic and had a machine shop make one for me. I even had a couple of changes made to it that I felt would compliment my needs and use of the tool.

Just something to think about.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Bellows replacement?

Thank you. I agree with you. I just hate to buy all the tools that are recommended to get this done.

There are not many tools you need. This is an Alpha? For the hinge pin, you can use a 1/2" allen wrench instead of the Merc hinge pin tool. You can weld two deep well sockets together for the shift cable. The alignment tool you can pick up on ebay for not much money. Reuse your exhaust bellows and it will probabyy go back on without the need of an expander tool. Even that, if you do a search, you will see some homemade examples.

 

[Brett Barnhart]

Re: Bellows replacement?

Thanks everyone for the input. I have clear direction now. I've ordered the parts to change everything, gimble bearing, bellows, etc.

Again, I appreciate the help.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bellows replacement?

You should be changing the bellows every 5 years.