Exhaust Bellows Repair

ercriss

If I remove the outdrive of my 3.0 Mercruiser to replace the exhaust bellows, will I need the alignment tool to get the outdrive back into place? 

I am NOT (yet) replacing the gimbal bearing.

Thanks

ercriss

replacing because its basically hanging in two pieces.

boatman37

Exhaust bellow is not 'needed'. It will not cause leakage and really serves no purpose other than directing exhaust flow through the prop. A ripped exhaust bellows will not sink a boat. If that is the only reason you are replacing it then might want to wait until further work is needed or replace them all to get it over with.

Look up the exhaust tube. Not sealed at all, just an open ended tube. http://www.mercstuff.com/exhaustbellows.htm

GMSLITHO

I would go with the exhaust tube also if you go with the bellow you should also get the tool to install it 

ScottK

If your exhaust bellows are split then the u joint bellow isn’t far behind. 

ercriss

Fair point.  New boat owner...excited to fix stuff.  I also thought a good lookyloo at the gimbal might be wise.  I don't have the bellow expansion tool but I was going to make this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmvujYkYqek.

ercriss

Would either (tube or bellow) affect horsepower?  Its a 3.0 and I need every horse out there.

skennelly

You won't see any difference in HP.

GMSLITHO

no difference when you raise the drive the exhaust goes straight out when you lower the drive the exhaust runs through the outdrive ,I tried that tool above with no luck ,.I ended up buying the merchandise tool