Trim tilt failure

DWABoat said:

Matt,
I did a temporary repair of my trim sender and just re-used the existing wires. I used good crimp connectors, heat shrink, and liquid electrical tape to seal the connections from water. The key to keeping the connections from breaking by the movement of the drive is to secure the connection point to the water hose using a couple of zip ties (not too tight). This will keep the connections from wiggling. Next, extend the wires to allow free movement without binding the connection. I was planning to pull my engines/drives in a few months anyway, so I knew it was only temporary and wanted my trim gauge to work in the meantime. This procedure is probably not Merc Approved but it worked.

Next - have you changed your bellows yet? Not trying to get into your business, but you mentioned “restoration” which usually implies some type of “degradation” If so, what about bellows for the outdrive? If those need changing all that has to come apart anyway.

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DWABoat
I thought about doing the same temp switch swap as you.. But I had another issue to deal with (Spun prop hub) That is another post... LOL... Anyway... I lost out on the weather and so I'll winterize and think about it over the winter...
Bellows are ok.. no leaks yet. My restoration will be seats and side panels... I'm looking forward to that winter project... I think I am making a covid career change... I am going to ease into upholstery. Boats and home.
I am a future former construction Superintendent. Hotel/Resort Renovation. All info I am getting is not going back to work till around spring or even summer.
I think I'm done with the road warrior life... I want to work with my second love... Boats.

Matt Winans said:

DWABoat
I thought about doing the same temp switch swap as you.. But I had another issue to deal with (Spun prop hub) That is another post... LOL... Anyway... I lost out on the weather and so I'll winterize and think about it over the winter...
Bellows are ok.. no leaks yet. My restoration will be seats and side panels... I'm looking forward to that winter project... I think I am making a covid career change... I am going to ease into upholstery. Boats and home.
I am a future former construction Superintendent. Hotel/Resort Renovation. All info I am getting is not going back to work till around spring or even summer.
I think I'm done with the road warrior life... I want to work with my second love... Boats.

Click to expand...

Replace the bellows now....not when you see leaks. A leaky bellows could sink your boat.

NorCal Boater said:

Replace the bellows now....not when you see leaks. A leaky bellows could sink your boat.

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I fully agree with NorCal. Upholstery is cosmetic. Get your electrical and mechanical squared away first. Fires, water instrusion into cylinders (manifolds) and water into bellows (shift cables, driveshafts, gimbal bearings) will ruin everything and could also sink your boat. In fact, I read leaking bellows are the number one reason why boats sink at a dock. They should be changed every 3-5 years depending on environment and use. Your engine cooling water supply hose runs through there also and needs replacing. It can break. When I got my 89 220, the water hose was so rotted it was seeping water through the cracks about to break.

If it were my project...
1. Fuel lines get replaced all the way from tank to carb. Includes Fuel Fill line from hull to tank.
2. Fuel pump replaced - I don’t care what it looks like. Too old for me.
3. Refresh/inspect all electrical connections.
4. Install twice USCG requirements for fire extinguishers.
5. Bellows, water line, trim senders.
6. Maybe gimbal while in there with engine alignment.
7. Cosmetics.

22 years in the USCG has made me a very cautious boater.