How? If it’s got a tear, you’ve got a job ahead of you. I wouldn’t tell anyone to try and patch a bellows. Besides that, how would you ensure a patch would hold if it’s in a bad spot? (Up against the bell housing, between the exhaust and drive bellows.) You’d still have to do half the work to try and get the tear all the way patched, which again, I DON’T recommend. Why not fix it the correct way, and not have to worry about it again for several years. Also, those bellow kits you see for ultra cheap? There’s a reason they’re so cheap. They don’t last! I’d used Sierra kits in the past, only to have to replace them after a FEW years. Get the genuine MerCruiser kit for your application. You’ll thank me later.
@@ripperace Thanks for your input it'll get fixed properly we were just trying to avoid putting it in the shop with such limited time left in the season but it is what it is. We had 1985 cris craft scorpion the boot ripped aswell but unfortunately water got into the engine and cracked the block,not our proudest moment. Very sad day was a great little speedy boat
@@bowhunterd2407 Well let me put it this way. Last year I unintentionally bought a lemon, so I've rebuilt so many components, but I took it as an opportunity to develop my mechanical skills and have generally enjoyed the projects. That has included: replacing a head gasket, valve job, universal joints, gimbal bearing, flappers, lower shift cable, and all bellows. All jobs had their quirks and challenges, but the bellows was the most challenging and frustrating (particularly the final bellow, usually the exhaust bellow that attaches to the transom). It's generally pretty easy to attach one side of a bellow when the bell housing is off. However, when it's time to attach the other side, that is where the fun starts. It's messy, you are generally working blind and by feel, and if you mess up (and you will), you'll need to re-prep the surfaces (don't leave the failed adhesive on the surface) while bell housing is now attached. What makes it so challenging is the bellow is a TIGHT fit so while you have the adhesive everywhere, you are blindly trying to get this undersized bellow onto the collar. I'd highly recommend having a heat gun at the ready to soften up the bellow a touch so you can get it over the collar. There are special tools you can also buy that helps you stretch that bellow into position, I rigged up something with washers, but if I ever did it again I'd probably spend the money for the tool.
@@neverclevernorwitty7821 Good to know I appreciate the input. I do have all of the specialty tools for this job, a co worker sold his boat last year but kept all the tools. I already put a new upper seal in the outdrive and that went well. I'm an electrician by trade so somewhat handy with tools. Kinda thinking between RUclips and the Merc manual I should be able to get it with a bunch of swearing and beer. Did you replace the shift cable and trim senders when you did yours? I'm torn on that, it all works and replacing doubles the price. BUT as you've experienced we don't want to have to get in there any more than we have to. I like hearing what others who've done this have to say. Thanks again.
@@bowhunterd2407 Since I tore the whole stern drive apart I replaced all bellows and the lower shift cable that wasn't bad with everything off. I didn't replace my trim sender since they were still working fine (i think you can replace them easily without removing the bell housing afterwards if you need to, but not sure), but be careful it's easy to accidentally snip or melt them if you are using a heat gun to help the water hose. I also replaced the shift shaft seal while I was in there since that is a known cause of leaks. Here is a link: ruclips.net/video/4mE9BI-F4qI/видео.html Make sure you also have the service manuals, not just the owner manual. Most of the forums (check iboats) have them depending on your year/model mercruiser.
Thanks for the information.
Awesome! That's exactly what I was looking for. My exhaust below keeps popping off the bell housing. Thank you.
we don't call them fuck ups as mechanics we call them "learning experiences " Great Video!
Thanks Keith.
Is there no way to do a temporary patch for a rip in the bellow to close out the season?
How? If it’s got a tear, you’ve got a job ahead of you. I wouldn’t tell anyone to try and patch a bellows. Besides that, how would you ensure a patch would hold if it’s in a bad spot? (Up against the bell housing, between the exhaust and drive bellows.) You’d still have to do half the work to try and get the tear all the way patched, which again, I DON’T recommend. Why not fix it the correct way, and not have to worry about it again for several years. Also, those bellow kits you see for ultra cheap? There’s a reason they’re so cheap. They don’t last! I’d used Sierra kits in the past, only to have to replace them after a FEW years. Get the genuine MerCruiser kit for your application. You’ll thank me later.
@@ripperace Thanks for your input it'll get fixed properly we were just trying to avoid putting it in the shop with such limited time left in the season but it is what it is. We had 1985 cris craft scorpion the boot ripped aswell but unfortunately water got into the engine and cracked the block,not our proudest moment. Very sad day was a great little speedy boat
Great advice my friend
Wow, thanks! About to start this job on my Mercruiser, thanks!!
How’d it go? First timer here about to start my first one this weekend.
@@bowhunterd2407 Well let me put it this way. Last year I unintentionally bought a lemon, so I've rebuilt so many components, but I took it as an opportunity to develop my mechanical skills and have generally enjoyed the projects. That has included: replacing a head gasket, valve job, universal joints, gimbal bearing, flappers, lower shift cable, and all bellows. All jobs had their quirks and challenges, but the bellows was the most challenging and frustrating (particularly the final bellow, usually the exhaust bellow that attaches to the transom). It's generally pretty easy to attach one side of a bellow when the bell housing is off. However, when it's time to attach the other side, that is where the fun starts. It's messy, you are generally working blind and by feel, and if you mess up (and you will), you'll need to re-prep the surfaces (don't leave the failed adhesive on the surface) while bell housing is now attached.
What makes it so challenging is the bellow is a TIGHT fit so while you have the adhesive everywhere, you are blindly trying to get this undersized bellow onto the collar. I'd highly recommend having a heat gun at the ready to soften up the bellow a touch so you can get it over the collar. There are special tools you can also buy that helps you stretch that bellow into position, I rigged up something with washers, but if I ever did it again I'd probably spend the money for the tool.
@@neverclevernorwitty7821 Good to know I appreciate the input. I do have all of the specialty tools for this job, a co worker sold his boat last year but kept all the tools. I already put a new upper seal in the outdrive and that went well. I'm an electrician by trade so somewhat handy with tools. Kinda thinking between RUclips and the Merc manual I should be able to get it with a bunch of swearing and beer. Did you replace the shift cable and trim senders when you did yours? I'm torn on that, it all works and replacing doubles the price. BUT as you've experienced we don't want to have to get in there any more than we have to. I like hearing what others who've done this have to say. Thanks again.
@@bowhunterd2407 Since I tore the whole stern drive apart I replaced all bellows and the lower shift cable that wasn't bad with everything off. I didn't replace my trim sender since they were still working fine (i think you can replace them easily without removing the bell housing afterwards if you need to, but not sure), but be careful it's easy to accidentally snip or melt them if you are using a heat gun to help the water hose. I also replaced the shift shaft seal while I was in there since that is a known cause of leaks. Here is a link: ruclips.net/video/4mE9BI-F4qI/видео.html
Make sure you also have the service manuals, not just the owner manual. Most of the forums (check iboats) have them depending on your year/model mercruiser.
@@neverclevernorwitty7821 thanks man wish me luck. Happy boating!
good info ! I did not know that about the clips either. thanks for the vid.
Great information! Thanks
Cool. Thanx.