Trick for installing exhaust bellows on Mercruiser Alpha 1

[Villager19]

The exhaust bellows on my CVX 18 tore, and after reading some forums, I decided to save some time and a few dollars and go with the little stubby exhaust bellows tube instead of replacing the bellows. For those of you who are not familiar with the tube, its something like this: http://www.sterndrive.info/mercruiser-parts-bell-housing/exhaust_bellows.html - scroll down to part 89150 Tube 78458A1

My experience with the little stubby tube was that it made the boat louder, and it seemed like we got to experience more of the exhaust fumes/smells at low speed idling/trimmed up at times, probably since the exhaust is not going out through the prop any more... so I just ordered a bellows kit and I am planning to do the job myself.

Has anybody seen this video and/or tried it?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJVfDbhwkwU

[Jason]

That looks like a good trick worth trying.

[74 Carlson the II]

If you can get your hands on the tool for the exhaust bellows makes it much easier. I have that tool.

[Plugcheck]

Neat trick, I have the bellows tool, but I could see that working.  I've always been happy with the other style that only connects on the one side when running thru prop. 

[Villager19]

So I finally got around to doing this yesterday!

It took me a while to get the right angle on this, but I used a combination of zip ties and the ratchet straps as you see in the photo.

I added the milk crate (padded with a blanket) to get the spacing I needed on the ratchet straps.

It was easy enough to attach the bellows to the "motor" side. I struggled attaching the "outdrive" side. There just is not a lot of room to get in there and work. The bellows glue I used was definitely dried up by the time I got the bellows attached.

It looks like the bellows could slide up quite a bit farther than I got it on the outdrive side - I was not able to slide it past the little nubs/bumps that are on the receiving part of the outdrive.

From land, I cannot believe how much quieter the boat is. I left the motor trimmed down all the way last night and will take it out for a test drive this afternoon.

I'm going to bring my tools and the little stubby tube in case it pops off.