New to boat ownership; some Q's inside!

[acex008]

Alright, so I just purchased a 1989 Larson DC190 with the 3.0L Mercruiser. It was winterized and hasn't run since (last year).
I have automotive repair skills, but have never worked on a boat... Anyhow, I replaced the rotor, cap, wires and plugs, changed the oil and filter on the engine and topped off the gas tank with high octane fuel. I checked the outdrives oil level and it was good. I threw on the ears and got it going. I brought it to the lake and it ran okay, however, I think I need to replace the gimbal bearing. It has a loud humming noise that changes as I trim up and down and doesn't really change much as I turn. I have a SS prop on it and the speedo isn't working, which I read could be an easy fix by blowing the line for clogs... I need to adjust the idle. Are there any fine tuning methods I can find online about the carb?
Are there any tutorials on changing out the gimbal bearing?
I've read a few other posts about replacing one, but are there any other things I should look into while I've got the drive off?
Thanks in advance!
What are bellows? (like I said, I'm new to the boat ownership)

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: New to boat ownership; some Q's inside!

Welcome to iboats.....
Bellows are the 3 rubber accordian looking things on the outside of the boat in front of the drive......
One is for the ujoint bellows, (very important)....The shift cable (important), & the exhaust bellows (not so important)......
If water leaks into the ujoint bellows it is big trouble, so I would inspect them right away.....
You should pull the drive & lube the ujoints anyway.....
At that time you can examine the bellows, check the gimbal bearing for roughnes & lube it as well......
Here is a freelink for the manual for your drive....
Run the cursor over the lettered sections on page seven & click to download the section you want toview.....
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6A2R3.PDF​

 

[elpaso]

Re: New to boat ownership; some Q's inside!

This site will show you everything you asked about.
http://www.mercstuff.com/howdoi.htm

 

[acex008]

Re: New to boat ownership; some Q's inside!

thanks for the help guys. wheres a good place to get the parts/tools online for the cheapest possible, obviously?
Also, do I have the Alpha 1 drive?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: New to boat ownership; some Q's inside!

iboats is pretty reasonable.....
Many Napa's carry boat stuff as well....
You have an alpha 1 gen 1......​

 

[acex008]

Re: New to boat ownership; some Q's inside!

is it possible to correctly replace the gimbal bearing without buying the specialty tools, i.e. the puller?

 

[95yj]

Re: New to boat ownership; some Q's inside!

Puller works best as it applies even pressure and sometimes the bearing is really in there. Slide hammer with 3 jaws works most of the time, but sometimes you just wind up beating your brains out. Have heard of people spinning the bearing to 90 degrees and then pulling it out. Never seen this done. Then there the people who pull it out with a car, hopefully without pulling their boat off the trailer onto the ground.

 

[Redneck Yacht Club]

Re: New to boat ownership; some Q's inside!

1989..........Get the replacement rubber transome kit, comes with everything,bearing, bellows and hoses. Noise also can be U-joint bearings, if water is found in the bellows area, when you remove the drive......Get the the U-joint bearings replaced. These bearings make noise when turning and triming, not the gimbel bearing, gimbel bearing makes noise all the time, when engine is running. And the speedo problem...pull the hose off the gauge,blow threw it, if ya can't........its pluged, if ya can blow threw, might be the gauge locked up.Also check the drive, speedo is connected there or might be on tramsome, not sure need more info..good luck FFYI= Put drive in forward gear or the drive won't come off when pulling it off with your truck.

 

[acex008]

Re: New to boat ownership; some Q's inside!

thanks guys! I spoke with my dad this morning and he told me that he replaced the bearing in his 86 Pachanga that had the Alpha 1 Gen. 1 and all he had to do was take a long punch and hit the right side and "spun" the bearing 90degrees and slipped it right out... His buddy did it too to his 86 Chaparel with the same drive. Anyhow, I'm going to attempt it. I'm going to replace the u-joints too while Im there, oh and re-grease everything obviously and replace the gear lube too. And thanks RYC, I knew about putting it in Forward first...

Now, which kit do I need?
The 18-2601 or the 18-8205?

 

[acex008]

Re: New to boat ownership; some Q's inside!

So I will be picking up the Transom Seal Kit tonight from NAPA. Besides the kit and some gear lube, what else should I pick up while I'm there?

 

[MercMonster]

Re: New to boat ownership; some Q's inside!

wheres a good place to get the parts/tools online for the cheapest possible, obviously?

Rent a slide hammer bearing puller from auto zone (if one's near you). If you take it back after you're done with it, you'll get your money back. I used one a few days ago to pull my gimbal bearing and it worked like a charm. Three easy pulls and it popped right out. Took it back the next day and got the $80 rental fee back. Good luck! Just got done with what you're going through...

P.S. And welcome to iboats, BTW!

 

[acex008]

Re: New to boat ownership; some Q's inside!

thanks!!! I'm going to rent it tonight! I just called my local store and it will be $19.99 to rent it! What a deal! Especially since I know I would have a b!tch of a time getting it out on my boat. It's pretty rusty in there...
Thanks!