OMC Cobra is the name of a manufacturing company that makes marine engine parts, such as transom bellow seals. A bellow is a rubber seal used on outdrive marine engines to protect the U-joint and the exhaust bellows located near the transom on the outdrive, as saltwater intrusion can be harmful to these parts. OMC transom bellow kits include both bellows and mounting clamps and Gimbal bearing. Installing the bellows will take one to two hours.
Items you will need
Socket set
Bungee cord
Phillips screwdriver
Step 01
Use a socket set to remove the propeller nut and then pull the propeller nut, along with the propeller, off the bottom of the outdrive.
Step 11
Remove the nuts holding the trim pistons in place on the outdrive with the socket set and then hang them out of the way with a bungee cord.
Step 21
Remove the outdrive lower unit mounting nuts and then pull the outdrive lower unit away to access the bell housing.
Step 31
Loosen and remove the screws holding the bell housing to the Gimball housing with a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 41
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the clamps holding the old exhaust port and U-joint bellows in place. If necessary, cut the old bellows away with a sharp knife.
Step 51
Wipe away dirt and debris from the exhaust port. Wipe a small amount of bellow sealant from the kit onto both the exhaust port and the inside of the bellow and then slip the new clamp and bellow in place. Tighten the clamp with the Phillips screwdriver. Slide the new clamp over the U-joint and then wipe bellow sealant on the inside of the joint bellow and then slip it on. Tighten the clamp with the screwdriver.
Step 61
Attach the bell housing to the Gimball housing and insert the screws and tighten them.
Step 71
Lift the outdrive lower unit and replace the mounting bolts.
Step 81
Slip the trim pistons back into position on the inner section of the outdrive and then tighten them with the socket set. Slip the propeller back into place and tighten the propeller nut with the socket set.
References
- OMC Transom Bellow Service Kit Owner's Manual; OMC Cobra
Writer Bio
Andrea Walk began writing in 2001, authoring user guides for technical software. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Loyola University, where she was a member of the Dean's Grade Review Committee for English. Walk is a member of the Automotive X-Prize team Global-E.
