When out on the lake there arose such a clatter!

[imrem]

Last day on the lake of summer 2017 I popped down on the tube to let the wife pull me around a bit and heard a very unnerving clatter coming from the 270 outdrive on my childhood 1975 Glastron v179 Starflite with AQ130 4cyl. I had the boat on the water a couple times before this trip and didn't seem to have the issue, I had picked the boat up from my Dad's a few weeks before where it sat in the garage since 1995. After a survey of the hull/transom, carb work, new gas tank, and new oil, it ran really well.

Before winter after hearing the clatter in or out of gear, I drained the outdrive's oil, a nice milk chocolatey color (oh this is bad I thought). Tonight I pulled the transmission and found a busted housing where the bellows attaches letting water in. Tha lower extension of the housing was getting knocked all over the place by the ujoint after it came away from the housing.

So a few questions for those who may be able to answer:

1) Is there a possible fix other than buying a used housing that would prevent water from coming in?

2) If water enters the bellows, will it also enter the outdrive, hence the source of the chocolate milk in the lower unit? Want to make sure I don't have another issue elsewhere (i.e., bad seals)

3) Is ebay really the best source for this type of part, having a tough time finding just this component and without the trans?

This is my first post so thanks to all for viewing/helping out!

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[Scott Danforth]

Your drive should have had the bellows replaced long before they failed, rusted the u-joints and took out your input seal. This is where the water came from

Operating with rusted joints for a long time probably took out your input housing and did bearing damage

Get the transmission and input shaft repaired/replaced and that will take care of the drive

replace the bellows and continue pulling the drive every year for inspection. Replace the bellows every 2-3 years

Ebay prices are high. I picked up a 4-bolt trans off CL for 200. Same thing on Ebay is about 600

For the seals, bearings, etc, follow the links on iBoats to get to the volvopentastore

 

[imrem]

Fortunately the bearings were okay, spun smooth no grit or wobble, after further inspection the piece that gave way was previously repaired with JB or similar epoxy weld. I've got the U joint all cleaned up like new with new cross pieces and the whole thing back together. I put a 1 inch band made from 5" PVC to add extra rigidity to where the bellows mates with the outdrive clamp ring. I then added some RTV to ensure water wouldn't be able to enter the bellows from where the clamp ring was damaged. I'll be sure to inspect it after I get it on the water later this month.

 

[Grub54891]

I put a 1 inch band made from 5" PVC to add extra rigidity to where the bellows mates with the outdrive clamp ring. I then added some RTV to ensure water wouldn't be able to enter the bellows from where the clamp ring was damaged. I'll be sure to inspect it after I get it on the water later this month.

While the repair may work, it's a band aid. Not to take away from the repair, but I'd be worried about it letting go while on the water. Rtv sealant usually don't work well in that environment, it Lets go. Bellows adhesive stays put, and holds the below better than anything. ​