Bellows

[double vision]

My boat has a 1996 7.4l mercruiser engine. The outdrive is
a Bravo1. When picking up the boat from the mechanic this
summer, I noticed the bellows was disconnected from the outdrive.

The mechanic said that it was not necessary for the bellows
to be connected because I have through the hull exhaust.

Should I have the bellows connected or can I run the boat
without the bellows disconnected.

The decision is between a $300.00 and $500.00 decision.

If I do not need to, I would rather not. However, I want to
do the right thing.


Thanks for any comments.

 

[stclairriverblaster]

My boat has a 1996 7.4l mercruiser engine. The outdrive is
a Bravo1. When picking up the boat from the mechanic this
summer, I noticed the bellows was disconnected from the outdrive.

The mechanic said that it was not necessary for the bellows
to be connected because I have through the hull exhaust.

Should I have the bellows connected or can I run the boat
without the bellows disconnected.

The decision is between a $300.00 and $500.00 decision.

If I do not need to, I would rather not. However, I want to
do the right thing.


Thanks for any comments.

the drive bellow has to be connected otherwise your boat will sink..

if its a through hull exhaust the lower exhaust bellow doesnt need to be there..

 

[Gimme Fuel]

If you have through-hull exhaust, you don't need the bellows IF AND ONLY IF you install a block off plate in the transom. This is the way my Convincor is rigged.

 

[happy]

Exhaust bellows arn't necessary, Alot of boats dont run them at all, thru hull exhaust or not, it makes little difference other than noise. I don't see the 300 - 500 bucks to tighten up a hose clamp.

Your boat wont sink. If you have captains call, silent choice, do not pull your exaust apart while the boat is in the water, if you don't have silent choice then there is a block off plate down there. No worries, unless the block off plate isn't there.

 

[stclairriverblaster]

If you have through-hull exhaust, you don't need the bellows IF AND ONLY IF you install a block off plate in the transom. This is the way my Convincor is rigged.

he still needs the drive/gimbel bellows.

 

[Gimme Fuel]

he still needs the drive/gimbel bellows.

Uh Huh.....He was just talking about the exhaust bellows right?

and the shift cable bellows if you want to get technical......

 

[double vision]

BELLOWS

Thanks for the comments. I have determined that the disconnected
bellows is in fact the exhaust bellows. The boat only had 35 hours on
it when I bought it in 1996.

Several years later it has only 135 hours. Now that I found out that
there is an "exhaust bellows" and a "DRIVE BELLOWS" I am concerned
about the "DRIVE BELLOWS" since I have the exhaust bellows concern
resolved.

My mechanic said since I have stored the boat in my garage with the
outdrive trimmed down that I should be ok at least for this summer.
The boat is a 1996 and he did replace the gimbal bearing and the
drive bellows in 1998 as a result of some mechanical problem.

The boat has always been stored in my garage. In fact the trailer
tires are the original Goodyear Marathons that look brand new but
should be replaced.

If I keep the boat, I will be replacing any necessary parts for the boat
and trailer.

Thanks for everyone's assistance.