Replacing Exhaust boot 1988 3.0L AlphaOne

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austin123

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Apr 16, 2004
Messages
109
I just bought a Stingray SVB 176 and am in the process of getting it water ready for the summer.<br /><br />Does anybody know how easy it is and what is involved in replacing the exhaust boot on a 1988 Mercruiser Alpha One outboard?<br /><br />Also if I suspect that the previous owner of the boat ran the motor without cooling water is it worth dropping the lower half to check the impellor, I have heard that they do not last long without water, is this also a difficult job?<br /><br />Thanks.
 
JB

JB

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Re: Replacing Exhaust boot 1988 3.0L AlphaOne

Moving to I/O
 
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fireship1

Chief Petty Officer
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Re: Replacing Exhaust boot 1988 3.0L AlphaOne

Hello, To replace the exhaust bellow you have to pull the entire outdrive. Put it in full forward, undo six nuts on the front plate, two forward trim ram nuts, then you bump the unit downward a few times and she should pop free. You than have to remove the bellhousing buy taking off the trim sender and limit switches on both sides of the bell (the round parts that look like hockey pucks on the left and right sides of the drive). Under that is a hex head bolt. They come out and the bell can come free. The bellow can than be removed. If you are changing one, change them all. If one is worn, all the others must mot be far behind. The drive shaft bellows can sink your boat if it tears, The shift cable bellows will mess up your shifting if it tears. Easier to do it all now than later. Put a shift cable in too, has to come out anyway. If you suspect that the unit has overheated or was run dry for any extent of time, you have to inspect everything carefully. No water for even a few seconds will shred the impeller. You pull the lower to get the impeller out. It's not too bad, All the nuts under the cavitation plate come out. Then the nuts on both sides. The trim tab zinc has to come off as well, a nut hides under it. Make sure you are in full forward for this procedure too. Leave it in forward gear until everything is back together. Overheating toasts more than just the impeller. The water pocket in the upper housing can melt. Taking it out is a real PITA! The bolts often break. You can't get any tool in there to tap 'em out and the answer to that is a new upper housing. If you drop the lower and look up into the upper you will see the pocket. It's where the copper water inlet tube pushes into. If it looks all melted looking have it replaced and the entire drive resealed while you are at it. Excessive heat will ruin all of the seals in the outdrive. When you change the impeller make sure you have all of the blades from the old one. If it is missing any you have to find them. They will block water flow otherwise. Then you will be right back where you started! I hope I helped you to understand this stuff a bit better. Give one of us a shout if you need further help! Good luck! ;)
 
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austin123

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Apr 16, 2004
Messages
109
Re: Replacing Exhaust boot 1988 3.0L AlphaOne

Thanks for the detailed information!,<br /><br />I have another question. When I turn the prop by hand CW it is scraping metal to metal. If I put pressure slightly over to the left while turning it does not touch. The prop will not turn by hand CCW. Is this normal or have I got a bad bearing or something behind the prop?
 
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qystan

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Apr 26, 2004
Messages
291
Re: Replacing Exhaust boot 1988 3.0L AlphaOne

Brit-Man<br />You do not need to remove the bell housing to replace the boot. You have to have the bell housing installed to install the boot.<br /><br />Check Merstuff.com, they have a write up or this and also removing the drive. Remember to place the throttle lever in FULL forward when you remove/install the drive.<br /><br />You do need to get the bellow expander tool, it will help. Alternatively, you can make a tool consisting on a 1 3/4 inch semi circular disc and a 1/4x1/4x 12 inch long square rod. Weld the rod perpendicular to the disc at the centre of the straight edge of the semi-circle. Use this tool through the bell housing to lever the boot open to get it over the bell housing. The mercruiser tool requires the shift shaft to be removed to use it, I split my tool and used only 1 side to avoid removing the shift shaft.<br /><br />While you are at this, do the following:<br />1. Check, better still change the drive bellow<br />2. Grease the u-joints (note the correct grease)<br />3. Check the engine alignment<br />4. Insp the shift-shaft seal, it it leaks the shift cable will be damaged.<br />5. Insp the shift cable bellow.<br /><br />Good luck and get help, the drive is heavy.
 
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BMDODGE

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Sep 16, 2003
Messages
157
Re: Replacing Exhaust boot 1988 3.0L AlphaOne

have the same boat - did all of that over the winter .. change all the bellows,gimbal bearing + check alignment - i got all my parts from NAPA + i have there marine catalog if you need numbers...<br />here check out mine svb 176 sign-up for the free website thru Stingray - there an excellent company<br />thanks bruce
 
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austin123

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Apr 16, 2004
Messages
109
Re: Replacing Exhaust boot 1988 3.0L AlphaOne

Thanks, I signed up for My Stingray last week and plan to post some pictures. I have a lot to do to the interior of the boat. I only paid a few hundred for it and know the original owner but it has not been in the water since 97 so am going over everything.<br /><br />Thanks for the info, is the NAPA marine catalog free from NAPA, if not how much is it to buy?<br /><br />thanks.
 
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BMDODGE

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Sep 16, 2003
Messages
157
Re: Replacing Exhaust boot 1988 3.0L AlphaOne

i got i'm free - work for family trucking outfit... price on it say's $6.95<br />i paid $600.00 for my stingray :D :D
 
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austin123

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 16, 2004
Messages
109
Re: Replacing Exhaust boot 1988 3.0L AlphaOne

Think I am going to get the manual. I am in the process of removing the outboard now, just come in to help son on potty (the things we have to do!) Just drained the oil from the lower unit, had about a tablespoon of water in it? but no metal that I could see or feel. Broke the trim tab but don't think they are expensive. What is the catalog number? I paid $200 :D :D :D bargain I say! As far as I can see it only needs a new interior/seats etc + my wife is doing all of the upholstery.
 
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BMDODGE

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Sep 16, 2003
Messages
157
Re: Replacing Exhaust boot 1988 3.0L AlphaOne

if the boat sat for awhile the water is probably from condensation - if the oil wasn't milky that is... the NAPA # msp-7 that's the 2002 # - there prices were good too. i did the whole water pump kit in the lower leg - if yours sat for awhile it won't hurt to do it all if your going to go threw it. show us some pic's - before and after<br />later , Bruce
 
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austin123

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 16, 2004
Messages
109
Re: Replacing Exhaust boot 1988 3.0L AlphaOne

Just pulled off the complete stern drive. Everything looks in really good condition except for the exhaust bellows and water hose from the bellhousing to the motor. All the gears at the top end look in new cond and the motor splines gimble bearing and u-joint are all good.<br /><br />Do you remember how much the water pump assy was?<br /><br />Have not separated the lower unit yet but think I will replace the pump anyway.<br /><br />Austin.
 
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BMDODGE

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Sep 16, 2003
Messages
157
Re: Replacing Exhaust boot 1988 3.0L AlphaOne

not sure on the price - the complete pump is #18-3320 which is both housing's + the impeller and all gaskets + drive gasket set is #18-2618<br />i just ordered the tune-up kit cap,rotor,condenser&point's + the wires & plugs and it was around $55.00 - $60.00<br />GOOD LUCK and keep posting !!!<br />Bruce
 
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austin123

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 16, 2004
Messages
109
Re: Replacing Exhaust boot 1988 3.0L AlphaOne

Got the lower unit separated from the top unit and the pump impellor is shot as I suspected. I am in the process now of sanding the whole unit and am going to prime with Zinc Chromite and top coat with new black paint. I am working steady for the next week so will not be able to do much to it but plan on getting a parts manual from Napa in the next few days.<br /><br />I am also going to plan on getting some pictures on Stingray so will post and let you know when I get some on.
 
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BMDODGE

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 16, 2003
Messages
157
Re: Replacing Exhaust boot 1988 3.0L AlphaOne

hey that hull looks mint... mine'S red and caulky - once you get that interior done it will be like new...
 
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