Transom Rebuild?

[CapnCrunch]

Hi, so on shake-down run Saturday after new Trim/Tilt pump installation (which works great!!) Heard the dreaded growl from the rear of the boat... so now I'm hoping what I was told this AM by the boat shop holds up and hoping the seasoned veterans here can help confirm pricing.

Boat: 1990 Maxum 2100(?)SR w/4.3L Alpha One (Gen 1 I was told).

Shop said (rough pricing only) $100 for bellows, $100 for Gimbal... and about 3.5hrs labor - $550 +/- a couple hundred for misc items... and then they mentioned may require new throttle cable? and U joints... neglected to mention pricing on those.

Good up to 7-8 bills, after that I begin to wonder if the old girl's worth the investment.

Any advice/suggestions would be very much appreciated!!

CapnCrunch, AKA

Mark

[mmwjr]

I sure they said lower shift cable not throttle cable. All of this is common maintenance every 5-10 years depending on where used and how much. It’s your call to spend it on this boat or the next one.

[CapnCrunch]

Originally Posted by mmwjr

I sure they said lower shift cable not throttle cable. All of this is common maintenance every 5-10 years depending on where used and how much. It’s your call to spend it on this boat or the next one.

Thanks for the input, so does the investment in this maintenance have an average price range? Also, is it common for the u joints to need replacement as well?

I also have been told the alpha 2 is an easier fix... Possible to upgrade Gen 1 to gen 2?

Thanks

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[mmwjr]

If you replace the bellows before they start leaking the universals typically will not need replacement. You can get a kit for $300-500 that includes the bellows, gimbal bearing, water hose, and shift cable. Then double the price for labor. If you mechanically inclined you can perform this job yourself with a few custom tools. Under Documents of this site there are Mercruiser manuals that cover this.

I believe A1G2 came out in 1991, IMO it is just as easy to work on as the A1G1 but not as common anymore. The Gen two has a bigger raw water pump and a somewhat beefier housing and gears but basically they are the same design.

To go with the newer design the bellhousing will need to be updated as well but I think the rest of the transom assembly is ok.

[CapnCrunch]

Thanks much mmwjr for the help, truly appreciated!


At least gives me an idea of what to expect

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