Building a '93 Caravelle 1750 Classic Bowrider

[Reserector_]

How was the alignment?

The alignment was fantastic.

Looking back through the pictures, I think I found the problem. Look at the bottom of the bellows. It is no longer seated on the lip. Judging by that and a crease in that area on the rubber, I highly suspect that the lip pulled away there when the unit was fully raised.



I normally store the boat with the unit lowered, and then raise it fully for transport. I suppose the bellows got old and set in its ways and could no longer bear the strain.
Also, I used Aviation Permatex as bellows adhesive last time. I read somewhere that it works, so that's what I did. Well, I don't think it was a strong enough bond, now. I used Mercury Quicksilver bellows adhesive this time.
The Clymer manual says to use grease on the outer part where the drive mates up, but I went with adhesive on both surfaces there, as well. I used the Aviation Permatex there last time, and it doesn't look like it did anything to grip the rubber, so I went with the Mercury stuff there.

I've got it all back together, now.
I think I spend more time hunting tools and putting them away than I spend on actual repairs. Haha.
I still need to put it on muffs and start it, for good measure. Ran out of daylight last night.

 

[chevymaher]

That bearing is dry. I got a number for a greasable bearing if you want it.

 

[Reserector_]

That bearing is dry. I got a number for a greasable bearing if you want it.

I got one. Thanks. She's all squared away, now.

 

[bruceb58]

On the bellows where the nose of the drive presses against it...that is grease only...no adhesive.

There is also no way the bellows lifted from the lip by tilting the drive. The nose of the drive keeps it in place.

 

[Reserector_]

On the bellows where the nose of the drive presses against it...that is grease only...no adhesive.

There is also no way the bellows lifted from the lip by tilting the drive. The nose of the drive keeps it in place.

I would agree, however, there is a strange crease on the outside lip of that area that is pulled up.
When I pulled the bellows off of the housing to remove it, it didn't put up much of a fight. I have my doubts about the aviation permatex that I used to hold it. I feel much better about the Mercury bellows adhesive.
It was certainly overkill to put adhesive on the outer lip, but I was covering my bases. I'll probably go back to grease next time. Thanks for your input, Bruce.