Help with fabricating a shift bellows crimp tool

[aldfaa]

I am finishing up with the bellows on my 96 alpha 1 gen II and am ready to crimp the shift bellows into place.

Reading the service manual it says to weld a 3/4 nut to a pair of pliers, slit the nut and then drill the threads out with a 1/2 drill.

I have no issues performing the tasks but I am questioning the 3/4 nut. This seems a little big to install the clamp, then to drill out the threads with a 1/2 drill? This doesn;t seem possible, even with the nut slit I don;t think that size drill would touch the threads.

So is the manual wrong in specifying a 3/4 nut?
What size nut to I need to weld to the pliers?

 

[45Auto]

Re: Help with fabricating a shift bellows crimp tool

if I remember correctly, you use a 1/2-13 nut, which is 3/4" across the flats (uses a 3/4" wrench to turn the nut). You then drill out the threads with the 1/2" drill which removes the threads.

 

[Don S]

Re: Help with fabricating a shift bellows crimp tool

I NEVER use those clamps. Use a cable tie. They don't rust away.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help with fabricating a shift bellows crimp tool

I NEVER use those clamps. Use a cable tie. They don't rust away.

Ayuh,... Exactly,... Toss the metal clamp, 'n go get a mecury outboard motor Fuel line Zip-tie...
They have an extra little *** on 'em, that forms a full circle..
Or,...
2 standard zip ties, 180? outa phase of each other...

 

[StevNimrod]

Re: Help with fabricating a shift bellows crimp tool

Here's what Bond-o is talking about:

Merc part 54-816311T

 

[Cresco750]

Re: Help with fabricating a shift bellows crimp tool

At risk of being accused of reactivating an old thread, I'm about to install my new shift cable and bellows. Is the cable tie method as described above the accepted method of securing the bellows around the cable, replacing the small metal clip? Should I apply a small amount of silicon sealant on the cable where they pass through the bellows to improve water tightness?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help with fabricating a shift bellows crimp tool

At risk of being accused of reactivating an old thread, I'm about to install my new shift cable and bellows. Is the cable tie method as described above the accepted method of securing the bellows around the cable, replacing the small metal clip? Should I apply a small amount of silicon sealant on the cable where they pass through the bellows to improve water tightness?

Ayuh,..... Yes,..... Nope....

 

[N.suro]

I know this is an old thread, thanks for having me. I have a 2001 hurricane gs201 4.3 mercruiser. I just finished the Bellows job on it and made the crimping tool (1/2" but with the threads drilled out). My question or questions is do the two sides of the clamp have to touch to seal correctly? I went as far as the pliers would let me. Also how critical is the spacing between the crimped end and jam nut. The book says 2" that seems like a stretch? Thanks again fellas. I'll post photos soon