Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen 1 Stern Drive Repairs Part 5: How to install a Mercruiser bellows on a boat
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- čas přidán 8. 07. 2024
- transom reseal kit (PAID LINK): amzn.to/42xxz1a
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hinge pin tool (PAID LINK): amzn.to/44IC4qi
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I'm installing a new bellows on this 1984 Ranger 395-V I/o (inboard/outboard) bass boat. The engine is a Mercruiser 260/Chevy 350. This is for a Mercruiser Alpha1, Gen 1 stern drive. Bellows are flexible gaskets that seal the water out of a stern drive and allow the pass through of the drive shaft, exhaust and shift cables through the transom.
Also check out this video: • Mercruiser 260 (Chevy ...
#bassboatrestoration #prowrenching #Mercruiser260 #Rangerboats #bassboat #boatrepair #enginerepair #Chevy350 #bellows
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Pro Wrencher is a mechanic who has experience repairing everything from old farm equipment to autos/trucks/boats to locomotives. He lives in an old house and drives old cars and has old boats- giving him a lifetime of stuff to repair!
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transom reseal kit (PAID LINK): amzn.to/42xxz1a
adhesive (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3nEehYb
hinge pin tool (PAID LINK): amzn.to/44IC4qi
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Problem solved on how to get lower shift cable to fit into the threaded end of the shift slider so that the set screw will fit and then the security wire. Everything you told me was correct but the one thing neither of us knew was that I had a factory defect on the nob or nut on the back of the shift cable preventing it from entering into the shift slider making it possible to screw the set screw in. SEI tech told me that they had a few others with the same flaw. He recommended taking a grinder and taking the metal or metal burrs down until it would fit into the shift slider. I did what it said and Praise the Good Lord I will sleep much better tonight. I THANK YOU SO MUCH for your patience and the info you provided. Every suggestion you made was text book correct. Once the factory flaw was taken care of everything worked. I really hope that this info might help yet another rookie wrench out there like me. Thank you again! Mel
Mel- Defective parts can make it a confusing and frustrating process, especially when you're having to diagnose the defects in the new parts. I'm glad SEI had a representative to help you diagnose and repair that defective part to get your project back on track. Thanks for commenting so other viewers can see how your issue was resolved, in case they run into the issue as well!
Why does this look so much easier when you’re doing it and I’m sitting here on my couch than when I do it? Lol 😂
Our install fought us the entire time! You made this look like an easy job!
Finally you are the only one on CZcams whit perfect explanation
Thank you.
Given all the other videos out there on the same general subject, I had extremely low expectations. AWESOME job!
Thank you
Great video ... in the middle of the same repair, and really appreciated the thorough and helpful step by step approach. Many thanks!
Thank you.
Just started watching your videos, I need to change the billows on twin 228's and was wondering if I needed to get that bellows tool but you made it look perty easy without it. Thanks for the good explanation.
Very clear. Should help a lot.
Thanks!
Nice explanation and nice work !
Thank you
Thanks for an excellent video, I have ordered all the parts and the tool as well, I will give it a go.
My driveshaft bellows and housing is different than yours, on mine the bellows goes inside of the rear housing with a retainer ring that goes inside to press it into the grove, which end should I install first, the rear as you did?
Thumbs Up and Subscribed. Thanks for ease of explanation and for keeping it simple and on point.
Thank you for subscribing.
Thank you for this super helpful video
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing 👍🏽
Amen 🙏 finally got a great video u the man
Thank you.
Done a gen 2, about to do a couple of gen 1's for the first time. Great video, I would have paid to see them.
Thank you! I appreciate the compliment
Well done...
Thank you
My frieeeend I need your knowledge again regarding my trim houses I forgot in the manifold where go the black and gray 😂
Hey! Sounds like you’re fixing that hose leak! On my boat, the black hose powers up and gray is down.
Muy buen video y buena explicación paso a paso, gracias
Gracias!
Hi! Tell me, I have on such a column when switching to neutral, the neutral does not get up, I have to drive the handle further, only after that it gets into neutral. Is the cable to blame?
Sounds like you need to perform a cable adjustment and check for slack in the cable.
Great Video! I may have missed it, but does the shift cable boot require a "final crimping" at the aft end? I saw where you tightened the screw clamp onto the transom end, but didn't see if you needed to crimp that compression ring once you started to put everything back together.... Maybe I missed it? Or maybe you don't need to put that extra squeeze on it? Anyway, thank you for such a detailed video!
Awesome! Thanks for watching. Yes- I would give it an extra crimp once everything is in position.
Great videos! I have a kinked and damaged water hose on My Alpha 1 Gen 1. Do I need to pull the upper part of the outdrive off in order to replace the hose? or can it be done with the outdrive trimmed all the way up?
Thanks! Yes- you will need to pull the upper part off b/c the hose is hard to access. You’ll be able to undo the lower side of the hose but you won’t be able to reach the top part.
Now I am seeing why the mercruiser is falling out of favor with many boaters compared to the outboard motor.
When you cleaned the bellow attachment points what did you use with the scotch bright pad?
I used lacquer thinner.
Hey question for you, what type of water hose did you use? The OEM hose I got is a rubber 5/8 ID, and it just is too thick to insert onto the water intake tube and clear the housing. Not to mention, even with a heat gun, it is pretty stiff and thick.
I used silicon industrial grade heater hose. (It’s blue). That’s much easier to install. It’s very important to make sure it’s the right length. If it’s too long it can kink. Also- after you get everything installed, run the lower unit up and down to make sure the hose does not kink at any point.
somebody told me today they use the clear reinforced hose and called the black rubber ones rubbish, he does about 20 a year that way
Great video but you skipped over an important step that I am struggling with. At 14:15 your tightning the ujoint bellow clamp onto the gimble, what position is the clamp at? What tool are you using to accomplish this? Also when did you attach the water line? That part seems to have also been skipped. What would be the best order of operations regarding that?
The U-joint bellows clamp is placed in approx. the 3:00 position when tightening from the bottom and can be tightened with a screw driver or 5/16 socket on a long 1/4 extension (not shown in video. I had to lay on the floor to install that and it was too hard to film and install at the same time. ) In the video- I am tightening the exhaust bellow to the gimbal plate. An access hole in the housing provides a way to get your screwdriver on the clamp screw. I used a very long screw driver to tighten the clamp. The water hose was attached at the top before I installed the bellows. The lower portion of the hose was installed along the way. The order is not real important as long as the clamps are oriented so you can access.
With respect to the shift cable attached to bell housing, was the cable simple removed from inside the boat and pulled out? Do you need to remove anything from the Bell housing where the cable attaches? Also, was there a special retaining clip for the water hose where it attaches into the Bell housing?
Yes- I pulled the cable out from inside the boat, with it still attached to the gimbal. It just passes through the bell housing through the shift cable bellow. Once you loosen the clamp for the shift cable bellow and have disconnected the shift linkage from the engine, you can pull the cable out with it attached to the gimbal. There's not a special retaining clip, just a hose clamp.
@@ProWrenching Thank you very much!
Great video, Thanks. I dont know diddly about I/O's but was looking at a 2005 boat w/ Alpha. The owner had not changed bellows since new. 150 hrs on boat. Is there a recommended replacement time for them? Tia
Answered my own question..lol 6 yrs max, inspected annually
Glad you liked the video- appreciate you watching.
Hi there. I just tried to put Mine back on but it seems the water hose I received is possibly too long? Did you have to cut your water hose to make it all fit together?
No need to answer. I just started over and was more careful about setting the water hose. Exactly as it needed to be fitted, and it all went together fine.
Got my bellows and have all the housing cleaned up, and I am about to start my bellows reassembly. I was wondering, after the u-joint bellow was attached to the bell housing and the exhaust bellow was attached to the gimbal housing, when bringing the two housing together, why did you start with the u-joint bellow? It seems you should be able to tip the bell housing on the hinge pin pivots and get the exhaust bellow pretty close to the bell housing making for an easier assembly. Finish the exhaust first, wait for all glue to dry, then move onto the u-joint bellow. Or is too challenging to get the glue in place for the u-joint bellow when the exhaust is already attached? I am just spitballing here since I haven't tried either yet.
Well, my thought process was the u- joint bellow is the most critical bellow to make sure it is installed correctly and glued into position. If your u-joint bellow leaks, it can damage your gimbal bearing and u joints. A leaky exhaust bellow won’t damage anything. It’s a challenging install. Thanks for watching! I appreciate your comment.
@@ProWrenching very good point, that is exactly the reason I'm in my current position, I had a leak in my u-joint bellows and it corroded by u-joints.
Great video! Could someone explain why 99% of peoples apply bellow adhesive and immediately installed the bellow? As per OEM it is should be dry and no more tacky before installation
I read the same in the manual, but I apply right away because it acts as a lubricant for a short time and makes it easier to get them over the mounting holes!! It still dries and holds (at least in my experience!!)
Great video. I'm in the middle of this job. Just replaced the gimbel bearing, shift cable and SC bellows. There are two o rings that came with my bellows kit. Do they go into those grooves in the ujoint and exhaust housings? Thanks.
One o ring goes on the drive shaft and the other one goes on the gimbal housing where the stern drive bolts up.
Great man. Thanks again. Do i use adhesive on the water hose?
@@joeguerrier7975 No- just a clamp.
Thanks. Your the best. Keep it up. Also I think the only Gen 1 specific and complete vids ive seen. Well done sir.
@@joeguerrier7975 Thank you, sir for the compliments. I appreciate it.
Where can I get one of those fancy screwdriver extensions to get in there like you did?
That was a gift given to me years ago, but I think it came from Harbor Freight.
Quik question, is there a bellows retainer sleeve for the alpha 1 gen 1? I cant seem to find a part number. Everything comes up alpha 1 gen 2 for the bellows retainer sleeve. Thanks
No, the Gen 1 doesn’t have a retainer sleeve.
If the shift cable bellow is broke will it cause water to come into boat. I just bought a 1988 rinker v170 and it's leaking water just on the one side of the inboard not on both sides
Yes- it will cause water to come into the boat.
You put the shift cable bellow hose clamp upside-down - if you ever have to change that and you don't want to remove the Gimble housing then you wont be able to get to the hose clamp.
Thanks for the tip. Most likely when it fails. I’ll end up doing a rebuild anyway, just like I did this time.
I was struggling the exhaust bellow for hours and days last summer. Every time it slipped off at first rising of the drive (after maybe 24 hours fixing). Ended up buying a "cheating" part that was just a muffler on the outdrive. It was kinda working, but of course the sound from the exhaust was higher (too high).
But I see now what I maybe failed at:
I was waiting 15-20 minutes after attaching the glue on the bellow and the flange before fitting it: Causing this operation to be a struggle beyond every night mare... Sticking at the first contact and fighting all the way into position.
I mean that I did according to the description on the Quicksilver label, but after 3 tries in a week I gave up.
Now I have ordered the special plier, and after watching your video here, I'll give it a try with wet glue, and not dry glue as last summer.
Do you have any other good advice for a cold frezing Viking up in the far oceans of Norway?
From one Viking to another (I have several great grandparents that came from Norway! ) - Ok- the bellows come coated with a white, powdery residue (which is actually a poison for rodents) that needs to be cleaned off thoroughly before installing. Also- you’ll want to use the Quicksilver bellows adhesive. I found it easier to install with the glue wet. Good luck with your project!
@@ProWrenching ... Working on this right now. Seems that the flange on the trans is kinda cone. So I have to wait util the glue has fixed a litte beforte tightening the clamp on the transom side. After that, I'll go for the outdrive side.
not sure how you did the shift cable procedure when you were closing in on the gimble to do the water line and bellows? Were you feeding the cable in at the same time?
I had the shift cable loose and routed through the shift cable bellow. I had the cable lubed up so it would slide through the shift cable bellow as I put it together. I installed the shift cable to engine side and adjusted after the bellows were completed.
@@ProWrenching Thanks my man... I'm tracking!
clean job, im mechanicly inclined. i was debbating in getting the exhaust bellow tool, might save you a couple minutes. but i dont think its necesary. w do you think?
I had debated getting the tool myself, but I was able to get the job done without it.
zip ties! There is another video on YT that uses a zip tie technique that draws the bellow back into the sleeve.
You didn't show how you clamp the aft (smaller) end of the shifter bellows. Did you just leave it? The ring is supposed to be clamped down with a special tool, although you can make one with a pair of pliers and a 1/2" nut.
I cinched it down tight with a pair of pliers. Works great- no leaks. Just gave it another good test today all day on the lake!
what is the purpose of those rectangular clips that are under the u joint bellows clamp?
The clips ensure the hose clamp is grounded so it doesn’t corrode.
Great video. What tool did you use to remove/install the hinge pins?
Thanks! I used a
replacementkits.com brand Mercruiser Mercury Hinge Pin Tool for Alpha One & Gen II Bravo I II & III --replaces 91-78310 & 18-986. I bought it from a “major online retailer”
@@ProWrenching what was the torque spec?
@@smitt112 95 ft lbs
@@ProWrenching Thank you!
nice work! I've done this job twice since being a boat owner, about to do my third so browsing. one thing I've noticed I always glued and stuck my u joint bellows to the gimbal first, then pulled it up into the bell housing. like you did your exhaust bellows. is your way more efficient, or easier?
Thanks! For me, it was easier to access the clamps with the u joint bellow installed on the gimbal first and then install on the gimbal plate, which has access holes you can use to reach the clamps on the bellows.
Can you please
explain why is a play between bellhousing and gimbal ring ? after i install a hingpin and a fiber washer , i see little gap side to side between a bellhousing and gimbal ring?
You'll want to make sure your hinge pins are torqued correctly to 95 ft. lbs.
@@ProWrenching Thank so much for you help! your video is really helpfull!
@@timlee9902 thank you! I’m glad it was helpful.
I just did my gen 1 last night on my workbench since the transom plate is off currently. The water hose is nearly impossible if you don't put it on the bell housing first. How did you do it?
Yes- very challenging! I had to put it on the gimbal housing first, then finished attaching during the assembly process.
Me too, what a pain
@@skidooextreme2233 Yup. Not that I blame @Pro Wrenching, but that is probably the single most challenging task and it's sort of skipped in this video. I think you need to have a heat gun to make the rubber malleable enough to fit on the sleeves on both the gimbal and bell housing.
good video however improper use of torque wrench and you never said what the torque spec was when putting on bell assy. but a good raw explanation Thank you
95 ft lbs. Thanks for watching.
Just learned the fresh water tube on my Alpha One is leaking. I can't work on my boat where I live. Wonder what a shop should charge me?
Sorry to hear that. I’ve lived in places in the past where I couldnt work on stuff either, so I know how that it is. What a shop would charge will vary wildly in different areas, so it’s hard to say. I do my boat work myself and don’t have knowledge of boat shop prices. I would call a few places around where you live, tell them exactly what you need and see if they’ll give you an estimate.
czcams.com/video/VwCP2DrYbPE/video.html
Thousands
What happens if the drive shaft or exhaust Bellows tear? What should I inspect to ensure nothing is damaged?
If the drive shaft bellow tears, you’ll get water in the drive shaft and gimbal bearing and also it will start leaking inside your boat. It will start to make a loud noise, usually from the gimbal bearing. To inspect it for damage you will need to remove the stern drive. If the exhaust bellow tears it will not cause any damage.
Have same engine and outdrive. Don't believe water is getting to engine, so planning to replace impeller and housings. I noticed the water hose from the gimbal housing to the stern (now blue on yours) looks pretty bad. The bellows don't look too bad. What is the best way to replace that hose?
The hose is very hard to access. I think it can only be replaced if you have the stern drive removed and the gimbal housing apart.
That means I will have to disconnect at least one side of the drive bellows and the exhaust bellows? Guessing the hose is connected before the bellows? Is disassembly likely to damage bellows and should I plan to replace them? Thx!
@@thomashall841 I have not replaced that hose without also replacing the bellows. The hose connects above the driveshaft bellow and the other end connects on the lower part of the gimbal next to the exhaust bellow.
Hey there!
I am in the middle of changing my bellows and water hose and whatnot. I need to get some water hose and you are the second person to suggest the heater hose -- I don't know much about it but I was told I could get it at NAPA... does it need to be 3/4" or 5/8"? Or is there only one size of heater hose?
Also, do you know what length of hose you got? I was told 13.75" is what it needs to be.
Some alpha one gen ones have 5/8 hose and some have 3/4. You may want to take a sample of your old hose with you to the parts store or measure the pipe that it connects to to see which one your boat has. The 13.75 sounds right for the length.
It is important to install and run stern drive up
and down after install to make sure the hose does not kink. That’s why you don’t want the hose too long or short.
Okay thank you! As far as the type of hose I get… does it need to be some special extra thick heater hose or just the normal silicone heater hose I could get from Napa?
@@josholiver11 i used the regular silicone heater hose on my boat. It works great!
Hey again, I got the hose on there and as I was installing the final piece of the exhaust bellows (after doing all of the rest of the stuff) I looked up and noticed that the hose was kind of kinked… I got the exact same one we discussed/the one you have in the video… wha do you think the problem could be?
It only folds a bit when you steer all the way to the left…
Any thoughts? I pulled the bottom connection back off and I’m thinking I might just cut it a bit shorter to see if that solves the problem, have you faced that issue?
@@josholiver11 Yes- it sounds like it may be a bit too long. Yes- try shortening it a little and see if that helps.
what are the torque specs on the bell housing bolts?
The stern drive to bell housing bolts - 50ft lbs
Hello I’m a beginner boat owner! I purchased my boat and took it out on the water to test it, and noticed water had filled in the engine room. Then I noticed that the exhaust bellow had a rip in it, so I replaced it. When I took it out to the water to test if water would leak into the engine area, I noticed the water leaks into the boat only when the propeller is up. When I put the propeller down, water does not come in. I’m unable to locate what’s causing the leak, could use your advice. Thank you!
Well, it’s hard to say without seeing it, but if I had to guess - it sounds like you might need to inspect the shift cable bellows for leaks. You may have a tear in your shift cable bellows that stretches and gets larger when your propeller is up, allowing the leak. Congratulations on your boat! Happy boating!
If your exhaust bellow is ripped or even completely missing on either an Alpha 1 or Bravo 1 drive, all it will do is increase the exhaust noise and WILL NOT CAUSE WATER TO ENTER THE HULL. The reason is that the opposite end of the exhaust bellow in the engine, is the exhaust riser and that is positioned much higher than the exhaust bellow. I'd agree with Pro Wrenching and check the shift cable bellow. If the starboard, aka driver side is ripped, then steering to the port side will tend to stretch the gap open and cause more leaking. Opposite effect happens if the port side is ripped. Also worth looking at the u-joint aka drive shaft bellow for damage. Good luck to you.
I agree with the other guys here ,,the exhaust bellow is not the cause ,,maybe the shaft bellow (the big one),has a rip on the bottom are so when you pull up it becomes bigger ,,or like the guys said the shift cable ,,
I’m about to do this this weekend and all I keep seeing is needing special tools and it’s hard
Give yourself plenty of time to get to get it done. It’s a not a job you want to rush. There’s a special tool you gotta have to remove the hinge pins on the gimbal.
@@ProWrenching what about the set ring for the ujoint bellow?
@@kodagaming9437 sounds like you might have the Alpha 1 Gen 2? Mine is the Alpha 1 Gen 1 and there are some differences. I dont have a set ring on mine. You do need a special tool for installing the set ring.
What was the torque on the side pins?
95 ft lbs
Could u pls help me solve a problem with sea water intake?
Ok- can you tell where the water is entering the boat?
when did you attach the water hose to the bell housing?
I installed the hose after I installed the gimbal plate. It slides on the inlet and attaches with a screw type hose clamp.
@@ProWrenching thanks doing the same exact thing, so your videos help a ton
@@libertyfinder4889 Very cool- glad to hear it! Thanks.
what is the tightening torque at 16:20?
95 ft lbs,
how many ft lbs do you tighten the bolts holding the gimbal housing to?
The gimbal ring to bell housing hinge pins are torqued at 95 ft lbs.
@@ProWrenching
thank you!
what's your opinion on the exhaust tube vs exhaust bellows. i know the tube allows more noise to escape. any down side to using a tube?
@@the_craptain I haven’t used a tube myself, but it looks like an excellent idea. I think it would be easier to install and you don’t have to worry about it tearing.
Do you use gasket dressing for installaing the new gasket??
The paper gasket I coated on both sides with perfect seal or aka aviation form-a-gasket sealant.
@@ProWrenching thank you
@@strada21_ You’re welcome! Thank you for watching.
@@ProWrenching no thank you!,,your videos are really helpful and save us thousand of dollars
My FRIEEEND is my again I have a hose from the trim motor leaking , I have to take the engine out to replace it ??????
Hi! It is a difficult job, but I think you should be able to do it without removing the motor. The plate that the hose goes to on the gimbal housing has 2 bolts & you can pull the plate down to access the hydraulic line fittings that go up to the pump.
@@ProWrenching is that the trim hose line manifold ?
@@ProWrenching you are the best as always brother !!!
@@gherickb8181 yes
@@gherickb8181 thanks!
you dont show the installation of water hose into housing. anyway still good explanation
Hello my friend new problem I just came from water , I was running good the temperature when up get out the water the exhaust bellow was BURN inside any idea ?
Hi- It sounds like you’re not getting good water flow through your engine and out your exhaust. You want to make sure that your water pump impeller is pumping and the water tube hose in the lower unit isn’t kinked. There’s also a water pump on the engine.
Impeller new , water pump is new am going to check if the hose in the out drive is not loose ,,, but is not fire 🔥 there righ ???
@@gherickb8181 was it melted from hot exhaust or was it burnt from fuel and oil and ignition source?
Was the out drive hose I don’t know it was for overheating or fire am scare now 😂
@@gherickb8181the out drive hose- you mean the water hose or do you mean the drive shaft bellow?
Where's the aluminum Bellow retaining ring. You skipped that part
The retaining ring is on the Alpha One Gen2. This is the Alpha One Gen One. It doesnt have that.
how much the tork bolt
The hinge pins- 95 ft lbs
If I have learned anything today its to attach the the bell housing while it is removed from the boat.... Do not follow instructions in manual 😭
Brother am dying replacing my U joint bellow i just order the hinge tool
Awesome! It’ll help you get the job done.
Yup, just failed at the critical step myself. If you don't get that bellow lip into the groove, it's game over. Now I have to pull it all apart, maybe I can clean the bellows adhesive off the bellow, most likely will tear it up and will need to order another bellow. And I am not positive I can clean the bellows cement off the gimbal housing without damaging the exhaust and shift cable bellows. What a PITA, worst project ever.
Good job, but way too much bellows adhesive man
???WHY..Dialectric Grease??? On The shift Cable? Wht not the proper lubricant?
B/c it works great as an assembly lube for rubber and silicone hoses & misc. parts.
@@ProWrenching Thankyou for taking the time to explain why. It makes sense.
No clip on the exhaust bellows?
Yes- clips should be used on both bellows. They ground the clamp and help prevent corrosion.
@@ProWrenching thank you! Do you know if clip position matters? I have my exhaust with the clip glued at 12 o'clock and I've seen others with it in the opposite position.
@@shanedean4075 that should do the job. It works in either position.
@@shanedean4075 Was told clip goes in the 12 oclock position on the ujoint bellow, and 6 oclock postion on the exhaust bellow
I don’t know why you’re using a torque wrench! When it click you just keep on turning.. inches past where it clicked… torque specs or not a suggestion.. 😮
This is the most asinine repair ive ever done. Just a royal pain in the ass. Im considering drilling out small holes for clamp access if i ever have to do this again. Just a pain in the ass.
Bellows is only ever plural there is no bellow. I know you probably already know this but its like our brains work against us on this one.
Hi, wasn't there a hard to install and remove trim ring inside the uJoint bellows? I didn't see that in the video?
The Alpha One Gen One doesn’t have that ring.
@@ProWrenching My Mistake, I have the Gen 2. Thanks again.