Took MC-1 drive off boat, Water in bellows?

[cecho]

Re: Took MC-1 drive off boat, Water in bellows?

$957 in tools just to replace bearings
add the cost of bearings and other parts and I'm looking at very close to the cost of a new upper AND lower just to replace bearings on the low end of a 35 year old drive. A new upper and lower is less than $1400 shipped and includes a 3 year warranty.

What will taking the drive apart accomplish for me? What do I need to look for? How will I know if I can just put it back together without replacing anything?

Thank you very much for your help!

 

[wrench 3]

Re: Took MC-1 drive off boat, Water in bellows?

It sounds like the logic train has reached the end of the line.
I hope your luck improves!

 

[cecho]

Re: Took MC-1 drive off boat, Water in bellows?

Yeah, the best thing for me to do seems to be to buy a new unit. Is my old one worth any more than 75 lbs of scrap aluminum?

 

[Augie56]

Re: Took MC-1 drive off boat, Water in bellows?

B.O.A.T = Break Out Another Thousand.........

There were never any truer words....

My advice is to just treat it (buying a new drive) like taking off a bandaid....just get it over quick, forget about it and don't look back.

 

[cecho]

Re: Took MC-1 drive off boat, Water in bellows?

Now... which SE106 gear ratio do I need? The 1.47 or the 1.62?

Or is it 1.50, 1.65?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Took MC-1 drive off boat, Water in bellows?

Yeah, the best thing for me to do seems to be to buy a new unit. Is my old one worth any more than 75 lbs of scrap aluminum?

Ayuh,... It's more like 10lbs. of aluminum, 'n 65lbs of scrap iron...

Now... which SE106 gear ratio do I need? The 1.47 or the 1.62?

Or is it 1.50, 1.65?

If ya got a V8, ("Searching for 898 or MC-1") you want the 1.47/ 1.50 gear set....

An alternative is run what's there, til she Pukes, then bolt on an SEI...

 

[cecho]

Re: Took MC-1 drive off boat, Water in bellows?

Ayuh,... It's more like 10lbs. of aluminum, 'n 65lbs of scrap iron...



If ya got a V8, ("Searching for 898 or MC-1") you want the 1.47/ 1.50 gear set....

An alternative is run what's there, til she Pukes, then bolt on an SEI...

Any idea how long it might last like that? or what signs if may give before finally puking? What can I do to minimize the chances of the drive catastrophically failing while on the lake? ... other than replacing it of course. It'd be nice to at least test the engine out on the water before buying a new drive.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Took MC-1 drive off boat, Water in bellows?

Any idea how long it might last like that? or what signs if may give before finally puking? What can I do to minimize the chances of the drive catastrophically failing while on the lake? ... other than replacing it of course. It'd be nice to at least test the engine out on the water before buying a new drive.

Nope,.... Not a clue,.... It'll last til it don't go no more...

 

[wrench 3]

Re: Took MC-1 drive off boat, Water in bellows?

I'm with Bond-o on both. Without seeing inside, there's no way to know how it will fail.
And my book shows the replacement drive as a 1.50 ratio.

 

[Augie56]

Re: Took MC-1 drive off boat, Water in bellows?

The proper ratio for a Merc 228 upper unit is 1.50.

 

[cecho]

Re: Took MC-1 drive off boat, Water in bellows?

Should I get and replace the gimbal bearing seal 26-88416? I don't see it in the 18-8205 kit.

Which shift cable should I get? I sorry about asking simple questions like this, but the manual doesn't give me part numbers and I seem to remember reading something about upgrading to a new style requiring something special. It's much too easy to get the wrong part or do something the wrong way.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Took MC-1 drive off boat, Water in bellows?

drive it till it pukes...to try to keep it going be careful on hard hole shots, try to keep it cool. if running hard for 10 -15 min at speed stop and dunk the upper in the water to cool it down.

The local Merc mechanic here claims to have had bad luck with the SEI mounted to 5.7 motors. I wonder if he is just pushing the Mercs he sells.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Took MC-1 drive off boat, Water in bellows?

drive it till it pukes...to try to keep it going be careful on hard hole shots, try to keep it cool. if running hard for 10 -15 min at speed stop and dunk the upper in the water to cool it down.

The local Merc mechanic here claims to have had bad luck with the SEI mounted to 5.7 motors. I wonder if he is just pushing the Mercs he sells.

Ayuh,.... I've yet to meet a Merc Dealer that likes 'em,....

Everybody else, Loves 'em...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Took MC-1 drive off boat, Water in bellows?

Should I get and replace the gimbal bearing seal 26-88416? I don't see it in the 18-8205 kit.

Which shift cable should I get? I sorry about asking simple questions like this, but the manual doesn't give me part numbers and I seem to remember reading something about upgrading to a new style requiring something special. It's much too easy to get the wrong part or do something the wrong way.

Ayuh,... That Seal ain't really necessary, it just slows the purged grease from goin' inside the boat....

Get the Mercruiser cable,...
Ya don't have a choice on which 1,....
If yer's is the old style, ya Gotta up-date it...

 

[cecho]

Re: Took MC-1 drive off boat, Water in bellows?

Ayuh,.... I've yet to meet a Merc Dealer that likes 'em,....

Everybody else, Loves 'em...

It's probably going to be my next major marine related purchase... That or a kicker motor.

Ayuh,... That Seal ain't really necessary, it just slows the purged grease from goin' inside the boat....

Get the Mercruiser cable,...
Ya don't have a choice on which 1,....
If yer's is the old style, ya Gotta up-date it...

Which one is the mercruiser cable I need? I'm guessing it's part #18-2190 or 18-2190E?

It looks like I have a bit o' luck. It appears I have the new style... At least I can see an adjustment nut on the outside (Aft end of the bell housing)... Is 91-12037 needed to R&R a shift cable?


As far as the outdrive, I think I'm going to flush it a few times with kerosene or some cheap oil or something before putting in the correct gear oil. ... Good idea, or bad idea?

 

[wrench 3]

Re: Took MC-1 drive off boat, Water in bellows?

The 18-2190E is for the alpha 1 generation 2. You need the 18-2190. I've never used a special tool for the rear installing cables. Just a 1/2 in drive deep socket with a pair of vise grips on it. I've found the job goes a lot easer if you tape a fish wire to the old cable before you pull it out. As far as flushing the drive, I don't thing it will make much difference either way. But if you do flush, I'd go with the cheep oil in case some is left behind.
The kicker motor sounds like a good idea.

 

[cecho]

Re: Took MC-1 drive off boat, Water in bellows?

Thanks!

The kicker motor might be my best bet. I'll be able to squeeze every bit of life out of the drive without having to worry about getting stranded.

 

[arnoldclan]

Re: Took MC-1 drive off boat, Water in bellows?

I was having similar situation this last season while servicing my MC 1 outdrive. I decided to take it to my boat mechanic (after I removed it) and have him go through it, replaced all the seals, bearing that needed it pressure test and fill. Overall cost was much less than a new unit, and I'm sure I'll get many more seasons out of it taking good care of it. I usually try to give some work to my boat guy in the winter when he's hungry, and he is also a great source for information and appreciates the work. Its much more cost effective for me than spending a lot of money on tools I may never use again. Hope this helps.

 

[cecho]

Re: Took MC-1 drive off boat, Water in bellows?

I think a new SE106 will end up being cheaper than doing that work, arnoldclan. $1300 shipped for a new drive with a 3 year warranty is hard to beat. I don't think the boat mechanics aren't probably going to be in a dealing mood now that spring has sprung, even with all of our lakes are low. I'm also not a big fan of letting others work on my vehicles. I like to know what's been done to them and how it's been done to them.

I had a bit of luck today. The gimbal bearing came out with a 3 arm puller and a 5 lbs slide hammer with about 5 good whacks. (I love PB Blaster. ) There was minor surface corrosion on the aft side of the bearing, but it looked fine elsewhere.

I guess I'm still going to need a new water pump and gasket set if I plan on using the out drive until it pukes though.

If I pull the bell housing and attach a hose to the water intake hose, will it be safe to run my engine to make sure everything's sound with it? I've only run it for short periods with the drive off and so far it sounds good. I'd like to get it up to operating temperature though.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Took MC-1 drive off boat, Water in bellows?

If I pull the bell housing and attach a hose to the water intake hose, will it be safe to run my engine to make sure everything's sound with it? I've only run it for short periods with the drive off and so far it sounds good. I'd like to get it up to operating temperature though.

Ayuh,.... Might be easier to put yer hose connection right to the t-stat housin', at the other end from where yer thinkin'...