rebuilding outdrive/bellow questions

[Frankiea87]

hey guys i have a 1987 mercruiser alpha one drive.. 1st question is...when i connect the lower unit to the upper unit, where the shift shafts connect to eachother, should be in forward gear while putting the two halfs back together?

2nd question- i had oil leaking out of the yoke and u-joint area. so i need to replace a seal in there im thinking its a few or just one? i looked at http://www.boatparts.ca/mercruiser/upper_gear_case.html and noticed number 20-23 is what i need? or i believe just 23?

3rd question. the bellows currently on the boat has the straight tube style but is pretty loud while in water. i would like to change over to the standard type so it will exhaust through the drive. i looked at http://www.boatparts.ca/mercruiser/transom_kits.html and the bottem is what i currently have (that style) can i replace it with the top kit?

anyone with help thanks... i appriciate it

 

[achris]

Re: rebuilding outdrive/bellow questions

hey guys i have a 1987 mercruiser alpha one drive.. 1st question is...when i connect the lower unit to the upper unit, where the shift shafts connect to eachother, should be in forward gear while putting the two halfs back together?

Doesn't matter which gear you put them back together in, as long as when it's in forward the shoe on the top of the top shift shaft is facing forward in a straight line... If it isn't, you'lll never get the drive back on the bellhousing. It's easiest to put the lower box in forward just so you can get them lined up right. That's the way I do it.

2nd question- i had oil leaking out of the yoke and u-joint area. so i need to replace a seal in there im thinking its a few or just one? i looked at http://www.boatparts.ca/mercruiser/upper_gear_case.html and noticed number 20-23 is what i need? or i believe just 23?

Do you have the service manual? Go to the Adults Only sticky at the top of this forum and download it... Everything is explained in the manual. You need manual #6. I would do a pressure test before taking anything apart. That way you'll know exactly what's leaking.... It usually the seal that leaks, and they cut a groove in the yoke, so either replace or repair the yoke, and as you've had to take it apart to get to the seal, you'll need to replace the 'O' ring anyway... They are the parts numbered 21 and 23, and the yoke is 18.

3rd question. the bellows currently on the boat has the straight tube style but is pretty loud while in water. i would like to change over to the standard type so it will exhaust through the drive. i looked at http://www.boatparts.ca/mercruiser/transom_kits.html and the bottem is what i currently have (that style) can i replace it with the top kit?

anyone with help thanks... i appriciate it

You can replace the bellows with the convoluted style. The part number is -18654A1. Part looks like this.... You'll need the special tool to install it (or a lot of finger strength and patience!). I see from the pictures you're look at an aftermarket kit... From personal experience, I wouldn't put an aftermarket bellows in (particularly the uni-joint bellows)... The rubber is different, not as flexible, and a little harder to get in... But that's just me.

Good luck,

Chris........

 

[Frankiea87]

Re: rebuilding outdrive/bellow questions

Doesn't matter which gear you put them back together in, as long as when it's in forward the shoe on the top of the top shift shaft is facing forward in a straight line... If it isn't, you'lll never get the drive back on the bellhousing. It's easiest to put the lower box in forward just so you can get them lined up right. That's the way I do it.

hey thanks for the reply.. i understand the other two.. but this one as i quoted.. im a little confused (if thats the correct word) my worry is i dont want to put it back and back on the boat and cant get a forward or reverse gear. while i move the lower units shift shaft, the prob goes forward,neutral and reverse as i turn it . .. so i shouldnt worry about that? just make sure the top shift shaft is facing forward in a straight line? sorry for confusion. just wanted to confirm..

 

[Fishermark]

Re: rebuilding outdrive/bellow questions

Easiest way is to have the lower unit in forward gear when installing the halves. Then make sure the "shoe" is pointing straight foward. That way everything is in place correctly.

 

[achris]

Re: rebuilding outdrive/bellow questions

Doesn't matter which gear you put them back together in, as long as when it's in forward the shoe on the top of the top shift shaft is facing forward in a straight line... If it isn't, you'lll never get the drive back on the bellhousing. It's easiest to put the lower box in forward just so you can get them lined up right. That's the way I do it.

hey thanks for the reply.. i understand the other two.. but this one as i quoted.. im a little confused (if thats the correct word) my worry is i dont want to put it back and back on the boat and cant get a forward or reverse gear. while i move the lower units shift shaft, the prob goes forward,neutral and reverse as i turn it . .. so i shouldnt worry about that? just make sure the top shift shaft is facing forward in a straight line? sorry for confusion. just wanted to confirm..

OK... The shift dog is not detented like an outboard, so it's free to move on the shaft unhindered, which is great for shifting under load, but a PITA when reassembling (as you're finding out). All I do is turn the shift shaft in the lower box as far as it will go clockwise to put the box in forward gear (turn the prop anti-clockwise at the same time so the dogs engage fully). Then align the shift shaft in the top box so it faces forward. Lower top box onto lower box, turning prop ANTI-CLOCKWISE if necessary to help splines line up). NEVER turn the prop clockwise or the shift dog will be pushed to the neutral position.

HTH,

Chris.........

 

[ziggy]

Re: rebuilding outdrive/bellow questions

the service manual explains it best.... read that, i'll help a lot..

while i move the lower units shift shaft, the prob goes forward,neutral and reverse as i turn it . .. so i shouldnt worry about that?

yes, shift it so the prop won't turn counter clockwise when looking at it from the back. this is fwd. put the shift shaft facing fwd. in the upper. then you can mate them..


guess, i'm slow,

yep to what everyones telling ya..