Easy question..is it necessary? I've been told you don't need it on OMC 4.3. If thats right, why is it there? The current one has a hole and I was considering not replacing. I am buying a new UJ bellow to be safe since I got the OD off.
not needed, some have drain holes in them anyway, mine has been disconnected from the drive since i've owned my boat (with a 4.3 cobra). I believe it just makes the exhaust quieter forcing it through the prop instead of out the back on plane. They (whos THEY?) actually make a solid tube to replace the bellow which basically separates from the drive when its trimmed up.
sorry, feel i should add that i am NO expert on boats, this is just information i have gathered from the many REAL experts here on this forum, and from my personal experience not using one on my boat. Hope it helps.:redface:
Easy question..is it necessary? I've been told you don't need it on OMC 4.3. If thats right, why is it there? The current one has a hole and I was considering not replacing. I am buying a new UJ bellow to be safe since I got the OD off.
My previously installed OMC 460 King Cobra ran with NO exhaust bellows since it was new.
(1987 model boat)
After my brother bought it new and had it 3 or 4 years he had Corsa Capts Call installed with the Y-pipe etc but the installer didn't put an exhaust bellows on it.
When I got the boat in 2005, I noticed the missing bellows and asked him about it and he aswered, "What's an exhaust bellows""
I never did install the exhaust bellows. It didn't seem to make any difference at all.
I would venture to guess that you won't notice any difference either.
Well, I wouldn't say it's "useless"........It does change the exhaust tone a little and it probably does direct some or most of the exhaust out the prop (assuming you have the bellows without the slits. (I think they all have the slits now though)
In a performance aspect, a big rush of exhaust bubbles boiling right in front of the prop can't be good for traction, (cavitation on take off) I would think.
In a performance aspect, a big rush of exhaust bubbles boiling right in front of the prop can't be good for traction, (cavitation on take off) I would think.
Yeah. it pretty much is once on a plane. but when you're in a hole-shot, the amount of exhaust would be significant right there... There's a fair amount also at the relief ports at the lower side of the gimbal mount too.
As soon as the boat starts to move, it wouldn't be much of a problem...
