Question about gimble housing repair

Fishermark

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Joined
Oct 19, 2003
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5,617
Sorry for the long post, but here goes: I replaced the all bellows on my boat when I bought it last summer (It is a 1986 Sportcraft 242 walkaround with an alpha one outdrive). I noticed when I replaced the driveshaft bellows that the ring on the gimble housing was corroded and not much remained of the top of the ring - only about a half of an inch or so if memory serves me correctly. I applied the bellows adhesive and it seemed to hold fine.<br /><br />I am plagued with a leak around the transom area - it seems to be coming from the transom seal itself. On a previous post I mentioned applying some 5200 around the edges, but I still have leaks in the area. I am going to go ahead and pull the engine and entire transom assembly and put all new seals and gaskets in.<br /><br />My question pertains to the repair of the ring that the diveshaft bellows attaches to. New gimble housings are expensive to say the least. I found the following prduct online and wondered if anyone had any expericence good or bad with it:<br /><br />
kitlarge.jpg
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ghr7b.jpg
<br /><br />It apparently has a sleeve that is epoxied to the housing. It comes with a new bellows. Here is the link that describes it in more detail: repair kit <br /><br />I would love the input of those who work on these for a living! Thumbs up or down?
 

a.d.mobile

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 15, 2002
Messages
326
Re: Question about gimble housing repair

I dont know you should be able to pick up a used transom form E bay or a dealer lot of work if it dosent work. if you do it post up the result. bob
 

Fishermark

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Oct 19, 2003
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5,617
Re: Question about gimble housing repair

Yeah, I've looked at ebay and may go that route, but everything else on my housing is fine - there isn't an excessive amount of play, etc. so I would like to keep it if possible.
 

Fishermark

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Joined
Oct 19, 2003
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Re: Question about gimble housing repair

One last bump before giving up! If you haven't used this particular kit, what have you done? I've got to believe that this is a fairly common problem if you do much boating in salt water.
 

Buttanic

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 25, 2003
Messages
711
Re: Question about gimble housing repair

I think it would be an aceptable repair option. Just be sure that all corrosion and paint is removed from the area where the epoxy will be applied. That said I think the cost of the kit is about way too high. It would have to be less than $100 for me to consider it. Take your housing to a good aluminum fabrication shop and ask what they can do with it.<br /><br />Buttanic
 

Tufan

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 6, 2003
Messages
202
Re: Question about gimble housing repair

hi,<br />Epoxy doesnt really hold strongly there is a vibration of the drive shaft... (I bet you have a 3 blade prop on it?)<br />Try taking the piece to Aluminum work shop. They could add another ring with more meat with welding and then trim it again with a machine down to the specification. It is possible. However person REALLY needs to know what he is doing and it is a bad spot to work on. <br /><br />I tried this on my boat and it did work, for a short while than welding broke off... and there was the leak again. And of course each time you would have to change the bearing, not to mentions it is a pain to remove the drive unit...<br /><br />I highliy recommend changing the transom plate, it also comes ith all the power trim assembled and it is around $ 1000 - $ 1200 depending on your engine. Do not buy the used one.
 

Fishermark

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Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Messages
5,617
Re: Question about gimble housing repair

Thanks for the thoughts .. I'm still not sure what I will do. I'll keep you updated. (Will know more when I actually remove the housing).
 
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