See the Full Restoration Here! There are full write-ups, pictures, and embedded videos in order. DONT MISS IT! friscoboater1995searay.blogspot.com/2012/01/rebuild-begins.html Follow me on Facebook- facebook.com/friscoboater
@FriscoBoater's Garage Jay, I know you might not be able to read all the comments anymore but I have got to say, your sea ray series is life changing, honestly! it has taught me so much! I will forever be grateful for the effort you have put into the videos. I am truly inspired by you and am working though my own restoration now of a rotted 98' bayliner, I could have never attempted such a project without your videos, I am even documenting the process on TH-cam too. It's crazy to think your sea ray project was over 8 years ago! I am learning from your videos as if you're working on it today! A huge thank you, Jay! From me and everyone else!
I'm using a lot of my Dad's old tools and he has been gone for 46 years, so the tools were likely 15 years older than that. Every time I use them I think of him.
Great video, thank you! I just removed the drive and came inside to reference a video, and now.. here I am. I now realize that I didn't purchase all the parts that should be replaced (Oil fill tube, fresh water transfer tube, plastic wedges). The inside if my housing was corroded pretty badly. So I can get all cleaned up while I wait on parts.
Absolutely love your videos man. Very very informational. Doing the same things to my 85 Larson ski boat. Thank you for all of the help. Haha wish I had a nice place to work on mine like you do too!!
Marine Mechanic here. Good stuff, Frisco! Anyone with basic mechanical aptitude can view your videos and get the job done. One suggestion to include with every video, however, is to be sure to use Anti-Seize compund on all of the fasteners (such as those infamous "Trim Senders") when you reassemble the components. I use the "silver" aluminum based anti-seize, because it is material-compatable. Don't apply anti-seize to the hingepins; as they require thread-locking compound when reinstalled!
i love your videos, there very informative and they have helped me out alot, i have a 140 hp mercruiser not the same as yours, but your videos still helped me out.
8:32 - "Let me figure this out for a second and I'll come up with a solution (pause for Break) ....I did not come up with a good idea" 😂 🤣 I know the feeling! Appreciate the video.
Thank you for the video! I only needed to see one part of this, but anyhow I appreciate the video as it helped me understand something going on with my auto oil fill line and I am new at boating from an owner's point of view.
A recommendation for you to add some additional leverage when working those heavy torques (this is for everyone who it can help), take a combo wrench and put the closed end on the ratchet handle; works wonders when I have a stiff bolt, nut, pin, etc... Great videos! Going to help me out greatly when I take apart mine. Just got a 1974 Bayliner Victoria that needs some minor restoration. Hopefully I will be able to get it in the water next summer.
hey there @friscoboater! I enjoy your rebuild video very much... I wish I can have all the time to do all that to my 87 Bayliner Capri (which I really need to do soon). I have one question for you, what would be the issue if my power trim sometimes wouldn't work (go down or up). during those times, I have to add more liquids into it for it to work properly again... and there seems to be a leak also... I also have an inboard .. tia...
Great video. Just the one I needed to see. About to disassemble my Alpha One for a total rebuild. Mine is in a bit better shape I think, but we think alike. Boat is new to me, with unknown maintenance, if I want to trust it, I have to rebuild it correctly. Not afraid to dig in, not my first rodeo. Just unfamiliar waters so to speak. Pun totally intended. Nice job man.
Great video. I have a gear oil leak that seems to be coming from the hose that you showed. Mine is the Alpha drive Gen 2. I am hoping it is close to the same. This video has been a great help. Thanks.
I may be purchasing a used 1994 23 ft Century shortly with a Mercruiser Outdrive and a 5.7 liter engine. So I'm glad you educated me on this topic. What would it cost in parts to do this whole replacement. And what would someone charge for labor also. Total w parts.
Also....if it DOES need to be attached...just a simple hose clamp, or do you run a bead of marine silicone around the hose before the clamp to make a seal?
I'm trying to pull off this job this weekend.. should I check for alignment before starting this job as well.. actually I did check the last night and the tool won't get past the gimbal bearing.. should I worry about alignment after I'm done with all the job thanks
When you said "let me figure this out for a second and I'll come up with a solution" and then it cut back in with "I did NOT come up with a good idea", I about pissed myself. I was fully expecting some sort of jig or other engineered solution, but maybe I was expecting too much? lmao.
I was going to suggest PB Blaster or any good penetrating oil the day or two before the job. Never knew Zmax was for penetrating crusty threads, gotta try that.
Just think when this hits the water you should feel super confident about having no problems after all it is all rebuilt. Now might as well rebuild the engine too that way it will all be new, great job
First of all I congratulate you on your work. It's really amazing what you can do rebuilding these parts. I need to rebuild two MerCruiser Alpha one gen two Gimbal Bearing. Please I am extremely grateful if you can send me your information and let me know if you have the time to do this job. I really appreciate your prompt response. Carlos.
My question is about the water tube that goes into the upper outdrive...does the water go into the engine only ? I have a mid engine installation with jack shaft.
I currently have a mercruiser and I'm glad that you actually showed at the end that I gear oil I actually have a leak from that house it seems like the only way to get to it is to take all that gimble and all that stuff off in my correct? also can you put a link or show me where you actually bought that specific tool to take the gimbal off? Thank you very much for video I hope you answer all my??
When you pull the hinge pins you can make it easier using a 1/2" impact with a socket to fit and turn the hinge pin tool. Unfortunately most of the hinge pins I've dealt with are stuck so hard they're impossible to get out without tearing up something.
I'm in the middle of this job on my boat and my bellows are stuck. Loosening the metal rings holding it in place does nothing to get it off, I think there must be some kind of adhesive or something binding it to the housing. I'm probably just going to cut it out and completely replace if possible. But i've noticed on these videos that they kind of gloss over the actual removing of the bellows and make it sound like it's easy but in reality it's hard to get off.
Hi Fresco, I have a problem with air bobbles coming up between my bell housing and gear housing. I had taken it in my my marine shop prior to this and had the water pickup hose replaced on my bravo 1 drive. I sense have taken it back and still have bubbles coming up at the very center between the two. Luckily, I have no water in the gear oil but I am concerned about water damage /exposure to the drive shaft. any thoughts. Thank you.
Grab a deep socket that your ratchet handle fits inside of and then put a ten inch extension on the socket and your ratchet becomes vulnerable to breakage but much less painful to use.
Hey, great video. I'm really having a hard time getting the hinge pins loosened. Did you do anything other than use the large ratchet. I'm considering buying $90 torque wrench to get them loosened.
Simple breaker bar got them off. So got past that problem. I have repainted everything now. Unfortunately, despite the warning of cutting the gear lube hose, I have managed to break that plastic fitting. Trying to figure out how to remove the fitting, it's easy to access from the inside of the boat too. Any ideas on that? I'm like you, replacing all of the bellows and hoses while I'm in there. My gimbal bearing is good, and I think I could replace that later just by taking the outdrive off if I had to. Do you suggest I place the bearing even though mine appears to be fine?
Hi Great Video thanks. I have a question, How much should it cost to replace a lower unit on a MerCruser including labor and involving Gimbal bearing/ring/lever assembly/bellows bearings/hoses and all thanks Jacob
i' m concerned i'm working on a 1988 carvelle attwood ,there is a hole in the bottom of the boat and i don't know how to fix it ,it is about a half a inch wide and about 3 inches long on the hull,what do i put underit so the rein doesn't drip or will the fiberglass hold it in place,and how many coats of fiberglass do i put on it welder315
nice video. I have problem with my boat going violently to port once the boat plans if the trim is all the way down. if the trim is up it is not as bad and is drive able. On the out drive where the drive interlocks to the gimbell house when the drive is lowered the starboard side is showing a lot of wear and tear vs the port side. A few years ago i broke off the skage in my drive and had it repaired. My thoughts are that maybe i bent the hing pins. Any ideas?
I am trying to do this now. The left shin pin stripped out, not the threads but the 12 point pin. Anyone have suggestions on how to remove the gimbal housing without removing the pin first?
FriscoBoater I'm trying to do this job I actually got the alignment tool.. I think the engine is out Alignment. It won't get past the gimbal bearing... should I worry about it before removing the gimbal bearing or after I'm all done thanks
Fwiw I'm a Certified Mercury marine mechanic I never remove the housing when I replace the bellows so thinking just because the loctite looked old doesn't mean it wasn't changed
@Panzer Track yes but we usually change the one way valve in the outdrive when we replace the hose. Generally when I get that far in them I'll change the ujoints gimbal bearing and all oil seals in the upper gear housing unless it's a fairly new boat or the customer balks at spending the $ but inadvertently they usually have problems develop. Kind of like a plumbing problem, fix one leak another develops. Biggest problem I have is with improper location of clamps during previous fixes making it difficult to get to them and loosen, I've had to bust a few to get them off. Patience is a virtue at times lol but sometimes the wrenches start flying and I have a heart to heart discussion with the gearcase 😂
this will be good to learn how to care for sterndrives on my first sterndrive boat as I like to fix my first sterndrive myself as im an ex marine mechanic and I knew what to do on these sterndrives the one im talking was on the 4,3 litre V6 Mercruisers and the bravo 1 leg as I knew this will be good for when I be getting my first sterndrive boat on a trailer and I will learn how to fix them sterndrives on my first sterndrive boat im getting soon and I knew what to fix on them Mercruiser sterndrives on my first big boat on a trailer this was good work on this video im always learning a lot now this will help me a lot on sterndrives this video was really good I;ve learnt a lot on videos on boat care and this will be good learning tools I will use in future this will be great for me to learn from the experts on sterndrive engines and the drive legs as im ready to learn on sterndrives as im a 1st time owner of a sterndrive boat this was really helpful as I learn a lot on sterndrives now
See the Full Restoration Here! There are full write-ups, pictures, and embedded videos in order. DONT MISS IT!
friscoboater1995searay.blogspot.com/2012/01/rebuild-begins.html
Follow me on Facebook- facebook.com/friscoboater
Do I need to remove the engine to remove the transom? The part that holds the bellhousing on my boat broke in the storm
Who gives a hoot Bout your weather. Do the job !
@FriscoBoater's Garage
Jay, I know you might not be able to read all the comments anymore but I have got to say, your sea ray series is life changing, honestly! it has taught me so much! I will forever be grateful for the effort you have put into the videos. I am truly inspired by you and am working though my own restoration now of a rotted 98' bayliner, I could have never attempted such a project without your videos, I am even documenting the process on TH-cam too.
It's crazy to think your sea ray project was over 8 years ago! I am learning from your videos as if you're working on it today!
A huge thank you, Jay! From me and everyone else!
When I have time to do. I am glad it has helped.
I'm using a lot of my Dad's old tools and he has been gone for 46 years, so the tools were likely 15 years older than that. Every time I use them I think of him.
Thanks a lot, Great that you are showing all the steps and not just "and now the bla bla bla has been removed".
This vid series has helped me a lot!
You had me lost with the worm gears, lol. I call them hose clamps.
Thanks for the video. I'm getting ready to do this to my boat. Very helpful.
Great video, thank you! I just removed the drive and came inside to reference a video, and now.. here I am. I now realize that I didn't purchase all the parts that should be replaced (Oil fill tube, fresh water transfer tube, plastic wedges).
The inside if my housing was corroded pretty badly. So I can get all cleaned up while I wait on parts.
Absolutely love your videos man. Very very informational. Doing the same things to my 85 Larson ski boat. Thank you for all of the help. Haha wish I had a nice place to work on mine like you do too!!
Thanks for the video. I ordered OEM replacement gimbal bearing and bellows. The videos helped me prepare before diving into it. Thanks again
Marine Mechanic here. Good stuff, Frisco! Anyone with basic mechanical aptitude can view your videos and get the job done. One suggestion to include with every video, however, is to be sure to use Anti-Seize compund on all of the fasteners (such as those infamous "Trim Senders") when you reassemble the components. I use the "silver" aluminum based anti-seize, because it is material-compatable. Don't apply anti-seize to the hingepins; as they require thread-locking compound when reinstalled!
I have one of those same wrenches! It still works great!
i love your videos, there very informative and they have helped me out alot, i have a 140 hp mercruiser not the same as yours, but your videos still helped me out.
8:32 - "Let me figure this out for a second and I'll come up with a solution (pause for Break) ....I did not come up with a good idea" 😂 🤣
I know the feeling! Appreciate the video.
Thank you for the video! I only needed to see one part of this, but anyhow I appreciate the video as it helped me understand something going on with my auto oil fill line and I am new at boating from an owner's point of view.
Finally a video that shows how to actually remove the gimbal bearing housing
A recommendation for you to add some additional leverage when working those heavy torques (this is for everyone who it can help), take a combo wrench and put the closed end on the ratchet handle; works wonders when I have a stiff bolt, nut, pin, etc... Great videos! Going to help me out greatly when I take apart mine. Just got a 1974 Bayliner Victoria that needs some minor restoration. Hopefully I will be able to get it in the water next summer.
hey there @friscoboater! I enjoy your rebuild video very much... I wish I can have all the time to do all that to my 87 Bayliner Capri (which I really need to do soon). I have one question for you, what would be the issue if my power trim sometimes wouldn't work (go down or up). during those times, I have to add more liquids into it for it to work properly again... and there seems to be a leak also... I also have an inboard .. tia...
Great point. Thanks for the tip.
Awesome video! Quick question, would you happen to know what the Bellow ring remover tool called or part number?
@grendelsniper
No rattle can here. I use a two part enamel and shoot it on with an HVLP gun.
Pretty cool i have that same socket wrench i had handed down to me. Have never seen another till now. Same story...it just works.
great vid! did you have to drain the lower unit oil before removing the drive unit?
Great video. Just the one I needed to see. About to disassemble my Alpha One for a total rebuild. Mine is in a bit better shape I think, but we think alike. Boat is new to me, with unknown maintenance, if I want to trust it, I have to rebuild it correctly. Not afraid to dig in, not my first rodeo. Just unfamiliar waters so to speak. Pun totally intended. Nice job man.
Great video. I have a gear oil leak that seems to be coming from the hose that you showed. Mine is the Alpha drive Gen 2. I am hoping it is close to the same. This video has been a great help. Thanks.
I have a Bravo 2. Need to replace the oil feed hose. I am wondering how long it should take a technician to do the job?
Hi
i want to rebuilt my boat gear . do i have to bay the oem kit or the after market ?
thank you
I may be purchasing a used 1994 23 ft Century shortly with a Mercruiser Outdrive and a 5.7 liter engine. So I'm glad you educated me on this topic. What would it cost in parts to do this whole replacement. And what would someone charge for labor also. Total w parts.
Old tools are the best. RIP Grandpa!
If you take it down to bare metal, re-coat with "Alodine 1201" before painting.
Can I remove the exhaustbellows whithout removing the outdrive? Which screwdriver do I need(inch)?
Also....if it DOES need to be attached...just a simple hose clamp, or do you run a bead of marine silicone around the hose before the clamp to make a seal?
How do you take of the shift gear
I'm trying to pull off this job this weekend.. should I check for alignment before starting this job as well.. actually I did check the last night and the tool won't get past the gimbal bearing.. should I worry about alignment after I'm done with all the job thanks
Hey Frisco great vids mate very intuitive. Can bellows be swapped out without removing the shift cable ? Or do you have to to get the shift bellow on
Great educational video bud. 👍
When you said "let me figure this out for a second and I'll come up with a solution" and then it cut back in with "I did NOT come up with a good idea", I about pissed myself. I was fully expecting some sort of jig or other engineered solution, but maybe I was expecting too much? lmao.
I was going to suggest PB Blaster or any good penetrating oil the day or two before the job. Never knew Zmax was for penetrating crusty threads, gotta try that.
I did not come up with a good idea... Lol. Nice work. I have some heirloom tools that do a better job than the new ones too. Thanks for the video.
J P I laughed out loud at that too. It was unintentionally hilarious. 😂
good morning sir where can i get the tool.that you use in the minute 6:25 i cant disarm.my engine because i dont have that tool, please answer
Just think when this hits the water you should feel super confident about having no problems after all it is all rebuilt. Now might as well rebuild the engine too that way it will all be new, great job
First of all I congratulate you on your work.
It's really amazing what you can do rebuilding these parts.
I need to rebuild two MerCruiser Alpha one gen two Gimbal Bearing.
Please I am extremely grateful if you can send me your information and let me know if you have the time to do this job.
I really appreciate your prompt response.
Carlos.
Thanks for the education brother and sorry for you loss
My question is about the water tube that goes into the upper outdrive...does the water go into the engine only ? I have a mid engine installation with jack shaft.
How do you get the water hose off?
I currently have a mercruiser and I'm glad that you actually showed at the end that I gear oil I actually have a leak from that house it seems like the only way to get to it is to take all that gimble and all that stuff off in my correct?
also can you put a link or show me where you actually bought that specific tool to take the gimbal off? Thank you very much for video I hope you answer all my??
nice work dude
Was your boat in fresh or salt water?
Are you in Frisco, TX? We are just north of you in Prosper. Love your videos and thanks for showing us everything
I need information on how to replace trim tab manifold. Please send info. Really like your info
What socket is that you used to remove the two side bolts??? Triple squares??
I know this is old but, YOU DA MAN!
@grendelsniper
the engine is out of the budget. Maybe next year. It is very easy to get out.
When you pull the hinge pins you can make it easier using a 1/2" impact with a socket to fit and turn the hinge pin tool. Unfortunately most of the hinge pins I've dealt with are stuck so hard they're impossible to get out without tearing up something.
Couldn't you just use a self etching primer on the bare metal?
U can use a dtm primer direct to metal
Use sea hawk paint bud.. I painted my aluminum job boat with it 6 years ago and it still looks new
Is that an Alpha or Bravo and what Gen type?
Grateful for this video. Thank you
I'm in the middle of this job on my boat and my bellows are stuck. Loosening the metal rings holding it in place does nothing to get it off, I think there must be some kind of adhesive or something binding it to the housing. I'm probably just going to cut it out and completely replace if possible. But i've noticed on these videos that they kind of gloss over the actual removing of the bellows and make it sound like it's easy but in reality it's hard to get off.
need help how do replace the ruber boot on 1989 mercrew 3.0 on down rigging
I find it best to break off the pivot pins before i remove the trim rams right at the start of the job.
What type of exhaust bellow is that?
Where did part 2 of this go?
How can I get in touch with you? I have a few questions. you almost answered them but didn't quite make it as far as I needed you to.
Hi Fresco, I have a problem with air bobbles coming up between my bell housing and gear housing. I had taken it in my my marine shop prior to this and had the water pickup hose replaced on my bravo 1 drive. I sense have taken it back and still have bubbles coming up at the very center between the two. Luckily, I have no water in the gear oil but I am concerned about water damage /exposure to the drive shaft. any thoughts. Thank you.
River King u ever get it fixed? What was wrong
@416honda
I guess I am getting tired, and just could not think.
great vid.
i believe i would have some liquid wrench or penetrating spray or something like that when it started to squeak like it might twist off
My gimbal has a lot of play in it from left to right what can I do to tighten it up ????
Please help
Grab a deep socket that your ratchet handle fits inside of and then put a ten inch extension on the socket and your ratchet becomes vulnerable to breakage but much less painful to use.
Hey, great video. I'm really having a hard time getting the hinge pins loosened. Did you do anything other than use the large ratchet. I'm considering buying $90 torque wrench to get them loosened.
Simple breaker bar got them off. So got past that problem. I have repainted everything now. Unfortunately, despite the warning of cutting the gear lube hose, I have managed to break that plastic fitting. Trying to figure out how to remove the fitting, it's easy to access from the inside of the boat too. Any ideas on that? I'm like you, replacing all of the bellows and hoses while I'm in there. My gimbal bearing is good, and I think I could replace that later just by taking the outdrive off if I had to. Do you suggest I place the bearing even though mine appears to be fine?
i need help my 1986 mercruiser 3.0 engine dies when put in reverse only forward works fine. any suggestions ?
Richard Rodriguez Probably the ignition interrupt switch.
When a bolt is coming out tight I stop and let it cool because of the friction.
hola soy de Ecuador me llamo Carlos me gusta sus enseñanza
Hi Great Video thanks. I have a question, How much should it cost to replace a lower unit on a MerCruser including labor and involving Gimbal bearing/ring/lever assembly/bellows bearings/hoses and all
thanks
Jacob
No idea man.
i' m concerned i'm working on a 1988 carvelle attwood ,there is a hole in the bottom of the boat and i don't know how to fix it ,it is about a half a inch wide and about 3 inches long on the hull,what do i put underit so the rein doesn't drip or will the fiberglass hold it in place,and how many coats of fiberglass do i put on it
welder315
You have to get to both sides. Please go the iboats website and read up in the restoration section. There is some great step by step how too
Yep, tons of it on there.
nice video. I have problem with my boat going violently to port once the boat plans if the trim is all the way down. if the trim is up it is not as bad and is drive able. On the out drive where the drive interlocks to the gimbell house when the drive is lowered the starboard side is showing a lot of wear and tear vs the port side. A few years ago i broke off the skage in my drive and had it repaired. My thoughts are that maybe i bent the hing pins. Any ideas?
The block of wood and penetrating oil finally make an appearance!!
hola me puede ayudar tengo una POLARIS S L 650 año 1994 no puedo instalar los cables de la bobina en la caja
where did you get your hinge pin star socket I need to buy one and would you have a part Number
I ordered it online.
Can I have the zise of the that pin star socket please... I need to replace my bellows, and I can't find that right zise of XZN... thank you..
I am trying to do this now. The left shin pin stripped out, not the threads but the 12 point pin. Anyone have suggestions on how to remove the gimbal housing without removing the pin first?
Glenn Gleason set the boat on fire
heat it up not alot
Drill and tap it a lot of heat
Left hand drill advise from sombody that owns one? Weld a nut to it may not be the best idea
Bang on it with a nice brass hammer and the bit for about 4 min before it strips
finally, the PB Blaster!
Ahhhhhh, the joys of boating.
Are you moving to Jacksonville to coach the Jaguars, Urban Meyer?
Nice work here...!
Where did you get the tool for hinge pins?
Thx
Amazon sell them
your struggle is real!!! Little lube helped
I was waiting for you to break out the ‘PB Blaster’ ( sorry, bad analogy ).
After replacing the gimbal housing did you check for alignment on engine
For sure. Its a must
FriscoBoater I'm trying to do this job I actually got the alignment tool.. I think the engine is out Alignment. It won't get past the gimbal bearing... should I worry about it before removing the gimbal bearing or after I'm all done thanks
that squeaking is a sign of seizing so mabey u should use some liquid wrench or any type of pennetrating oil next time it reilly is a life saver
Can you replace the exhust bellow without removing the out drive?
Ricky Padovani I don't think so.
You can install an exhaust bellow tube instead of the flexible bellow tube. Google it and you will see some pro's and con's to it.
$110.00 per hour labor here in the NE
Fwiw I'm a Certified Mercury marine mechanic I never remove the housing when I replace the bellows so thinking just because the loctite looked old doesn't mean it wasn't changed
@Panzer Track yes but we usually change the one way valve in the outdrive when we replace the hose. Generally when I get that far in them I'll change the ujoints gimbal bearing and all oil seals in the upper gear housing unless it's a fairly new boat or the customer balks at spending the $ but inadvertently they usually have problems develop. Kind of like a plumbing problem, fix one leak another develops. Biggest problem I have is with improper location of clamps during previous fixes making it difficult to get to them and loosen, I've had to bust a few to get them off. Patience is a virtue at times lol but sometimes the wrenches start flying and I have a heart to heart discussion with the gearcase 😂
why wouldn't you have that bell housing sandblasted and powder coated black?
+kmalatesta1 I asked about that to a mechanic, and he said it would not be a good idea.
any reason? seems like the most durable finish you can put on anything these days
you can get zinc chromate primer for aluminum at an aircraft supply store, usuall close to your smaller airports.
this will be good to learn how to care for sterndrives on my first sterndrive boat as I like to fix my first sterndrive myself as im an ex marine mechanic and I knew what to do on these sterndrives the one im talking was on the 4,3 litre V6 Mercruisers and the bravo 1 leg as I knew this will be good for when I be getting my first sterndrive boat on a trailer and I will learn how to fix them sterndrives on my first sterndrive boat im getting soon and I knew what to fix on them Mercruiser sterndrives on my first big boat on a trailer this was good work on this video im always learning a lot now this will help me a lot on sterndrives this video was really good I;ve learnt a lot on videos on boat care and this will be good learning tools I will use in future this will be great for me to learn from the experts on sterndrive engines and the drive legs as im ready to learn on sterndrives as im a 1st time owner of a sterndrive boat this was really helpful as I learn a lot on sterndrives now
Thanks
Great tip... thanks.
kroil is your friend it will penetrate that better than any other oil
Ben Dove
You should start a weather channel🤣😂
The next time you do this, loosen the hinge pin bolts before you remove the sterndrive. It will make things easier, especially if they are tighter.