Pre Alpha transom

[Plugcheck]

     Greetings all, progressing on the CVZ resto here and have a quick question.   Is there a kit of gaskets that I need for putting the transom back together?   I assume there is a gasket to seal the outside, but is there other seals?  Hoping to paint the top this weekend, then start putting her back together.   Basically I have a football kinda shaped hole and need to put the inside and outside parts back on.   Thanks all.   Michael.

[Rich_V174SS]

From around 1973 and on Mercury used a large foam rubber O-ring to seal the outer transom assembly against the transom. A new one must be installed whenever the assembly is removed and reinstalled. It fits into a groove on the mating face of the assembly and is held in place with some contact cement. Aside from that there are no other gaskets unless the trim hose junction/distribution block was removed, then you would have to replace a gasket there. Then there are the driveshaft, exhaust, and shift cable bellows which should be checked for cracking or breakage and replaced as needed.

[Plugcheck]

Do you know if a kit is available, or do I order the parts separately? 

[Rich_V174SS]

There are seal kits available that contain all the bellows and gaskets for mounting the drive to the transom assembly, see the links below. But, the transom-to-boat O-ring seal is usually sold separately. You may have to purchase items separately because I don't know off hand if kits are available for pre-alpha gear. This one listed is for 1983-1991 Alpha assemblies. Also, buy original OEM Mercury parts wherever possible, I'm not a fan of any of the aftermarket stuff, especially those from Sierra because they often don't fit right or are harder to install - inferior quality. Oh, there is also a seal or O-ring(s) needed to seal up the exhaust pipe to the transom assembly on the inside for when it comes time to reinstall the exhaust pipe.

http://www.mercaftermarkets.com/mercruiser-transom-seal-kit-30-803097t-1/

http://www.iboats.com/Transom-Seal-for-Mercruiser-GLM-86711-Sierra/dm/view_id.172466?cm_mmc=Google_Main-_-Mall+Product+Listings%3AGoogle-_-+%3AMall+Product+Listings%3AGoogle-_-Sierra&gclid=CMT35Luj_b0CFYuXOgod_Q0A5Q

[Plugcheck]

    That's exactly what I was looking for, thanks so much for you assistance and expertise.

[dorelse]

Rich gave me the tip to use a little rubber cement to hold the gasket in the grove...I clamped it down over night and it stayed in place until I could mount it permanently.

[dorelse]

OH...and DO NOT order the cheap gasket...get the real Mercruiser/Quicksilver one...I ordered a cheap one before Rich recommended the 'real' part and it shows.

The cheap one was smaller diameter, and joined really poorly.

What else Rich?  You tighten it down, then you'll have to come back and tighten it up the next day as the gasket is squeezed inwards.  The bolts will be loose the next day if you don't.

[Rich_V174SS]

Before installing the transom assembly I like to apply a little spray adhesive to the surface of the transom to give the O-ring gasket something to stick to. Any overspray can be removed with some acetone or other solvent after installation. When you tighten the assembly into the boat all the bolts/nuts need to be tightened in an even sequence so the assembly pulls together straight, evenly, and flush against the transom.

[Plugcheck]

Good advice guys, thanks for the assistance and guidance.  Hopefully have the engine running this weekend, but not ready to put into boat untill everything checks out.