Mercuiser bellows question

[Don S]

The Alpha 1 Gen II drives are not as easy as the Volvo drive that you asked Chris about. The first thing you need to do is get a service manual and see what all is involved. For one thing, you will have to deal with the trim sender, and limit switches. Plus the bellows is real tight between the water hose and the transom shield.<br />You will find the information in section 4A of the service manual<br />If you don't have one, here is a link to one for your drive. Look it over and if you have any questions, give a yell <br /> Service Manual 14

 

[SteveRay]

Mercuiser bellows question

Mercuiser Alpha I Gen II... Its a 1992 and the <br />Ser. Number OD678234.<br />I am handy but tend to overthink and was wondering if I could handle replacing the bellows. <br />You guys have been a great help already

 

[tommays]

Re: Mercuiser bellows question

SEA<br />i am only trained up to 1975 OMC and have not worked in the trade since but have worked repiaring land based machines.<br /><br />the bigest thing i have learned over that time is that if i break down a job into small steps and take my time doing each one correctly useing the service manual and the help that is here i have been able to bring my self up to speed on things that are different on a merc and have managed not to do any damage so far<br /><br />i think DON,s said it best (Sounds like you found out that the worry was worse than the actual job)<br /><br />tommays

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Mercuiser bellows question

Steve, I don't like to be negative....however this is one job that will test your patience till it breaks. There are also a couple of specialty tools that are almost a necessity. If you have never done this before I highly recomend having it done. If you would like to look over the job a little before proceeding, go to the "how Do I" section of www.mercstuff.com

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercuiser bellows question

The process shown at mercstuff.com is for an Alpha I drive, not an Alpha I Gen II drive. Big difference.<br />I wouldn't wish an Alpha I bellows replacement on my worst enemy, but the Gen II replacement is a lot easier.....NOT easy mind you, just easier. The worst part about the Alpha I bellows was the clamp in the bellhousing, the Gen II doesn't have that.<br />About the only special tool you really need is the torx bit to remove the pivot pins. The metal ring can be installed without the special tool using the proper lubricant and not removeing the exhaust bellows.<br />You also need to be careful not to break the plastic fitting for the oil reservoir.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Mercuiser bellows question

GEE, don't know how I missed the "GEN II" part???

 

[SteveRay]

Re: Mercuiser bellows question

Don ........I hope your right. I'll take your word for it though. I think I will attempt in April.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Mercuiser bellows question

hello<br /> I dont use the 12 spline tool from merc anymore. I have wrung to many off. I use a pice of 1/2 allem wrecnh about 3 inches long tack welded to a 1/2 1/2" drive 6 pt socket.<br /> I do however use the driver tool and dish soap to install the bellows retaing ring. you will find that buying that tool and an exhaust bellows expander will make the job much easier. while your in there pay close attention to the shift shaft seal in the gimbal exhaust cavity. they fail a lot and then take out shift cables and slides.<br /> other than that buy the service manual and read it all winter so you know what and how everything goes. some of the early production rum GenII's did not have a remote resevoir. if yours does you have been warned the nipple can snap <br />also dont forget to shift to fwd and the big killer( yep I am guilty) is forgetting to remove the speedo pitot tube <br /> that will snap off as well

 

[supercab78]

Re: Mercuiser bellows question

Hey tommays, I've owned a OMC 190 IO for 17 years now. I have a ? for you. I keep hearing how the older OMC's have weak shafts and that the lower units (the electric shifts are bad systems) I've never had to touch my lower gearcase yet, except to change fluid. I have had to change my upper gearcase shafts twice do to rusted splines. Plus the ball gears once, do to normal wear. Just wondering what your thoughts were since you must have been around when these were newer. Jeff

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercuiser bellows question

Hey Jeff (Supercab78). It would be best to start a new thread with your OMC question. It really gets confusing when 2 completely different conversations are going on at the same time. Especially when one is Merc and the other is OMC.