Dang, exhaust bellows detached

[sswick]

I posted a bit ago about how my gimbel bearing came off when I pulled the sterndrive off. As a reminder, I have a 1986, 140 Mercruiser with a Alpha one drive. Since I have repaired many cars before I decided to repair it myself. Well, I've replaced the u-joints, gimbel bearing, yoke shaft (because the gimbel had rusted itself to it), bellows, shift cable, and just about everything else I should of replaced when the sterndrive is off, based on the expert advise from this forum. BTY, the hardest part I had was trying to align the new gimbel bearing until I found a post about hitting the alignment tool with a rubber hammer to align the new bearing. Wish I would of seen that 2 hours before I adjusted the engine up and down 3 times.
Anyways, I took it out on it's maiden voyage today, and I have to admit it performed perfectly. However, when I got it home I noticed that the exhaust bellows had come separated from the bell housing side. Yes, I did use adhesive...guess I didn't tighten it enough or over tightened it???
So my question is, is there a trick to reconnecting it without pulling the sterndrive off again? Also, being the exhaust bellows, should I be concerned that it may of pulled off before/during my maiden voyage and took on water?
Thanks gang, this forum has been a great help.

 

[mfg025]

Re: Dang, exhaust bellows detached

A1 exhaust bellows is inconsequential to the best of my knowledge. water will not enter due to constant exhaust pressure. may be slightly noisier as exhaust is exiting transom plate not prop area.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Dang, exhaust bellows detached

My old King Kobra ran for about 10 years without an exhaust bellows.

didn't hurt a thing!


Cheers,

Rick

 

[180shabah]

Re: Dang, exhaust bellows detached

There is no issue with taking on water through your exhaust bellows. FYI, everytime you shut off the engine, the exhaust bellows is 100% full of water anyway.
That being said, I would be concerned about it pushing into the bottom of your upper bellows and then the u-joint rubbing a hole in them. If it were me, I would remove the exhaust bellows completely and replace it with the exhaust tube. It costs about $30 and can be installed without removing the drive.
Good Luck

 

[mike456]

Re: Dang, exhaust bellows detached

I had a similar problem with my new exhaust bellows coming off. i replaced it with an exhaust tube and its works great. Installing the exhaust tube was perhaps one of the easiest repairs I have done. Proabaly took more than 15 minutes. Good luck

 

[sswick]

Re: Dang, exhaust bellows detached

Thanks for the responses. I think I will take it off and replace it with the exhaust tube. I'll wait until next year when I pull the sterndrive off again for inspection to try and put it on again.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Dang, exhaust bellows detached

Thanks for the responses. I think I will take it off and replace it with the exhaust tube. I'll wait until next year when I pull the sterndrive off again for inspection to try and put it on again.

Don't bother putting it on next year....
Stick with the exhaust tube....

 

[180shabah]

Re: Dang, exhaust bellows detached

Don't bother putting it on next year....
Stick with the exhaust tube....

Ditto - Once you have installed the tube there is absolutely no reason to reinstall the bellows.

 

[ph98223]

Re: Dang, exhaust bellows detached

this may be a stupid questions but iam about to start replacing my exhaust and ujoint and the shift bellows on my 1993 searay 4.3 w/ alpha 1 what is this exahaust tube is it a replacement part or can you just buy piece of exhaust hose and be okay thanks for the answer also what is the part number if it is a replacement part

 

[180shabah]

Re: Dang, exhaust bellows detached

It is a replacement part, a piece of exhaust hose is not an acceptable substitute. Go to www.mercstuff.com