It has been a few years so time for new boots and bellows on my XZ drive. Thru Hull exhaust only (switchable tips) so there is a little room back there. I see a new PN has superseded the last kit I installed and it looks like the difference is the main water inlet hose. I helped a friend do boots and bellows on his boat (B1) earlier this year and due to hull shape and thru prop exhausts it was physically impossible to get the new kit water neck installed, the part part the hard suction line feeds from transom to water pump. I do not have the install instruction handy but as I recall there was some sleeve or water neck you tightened down to a specific compression distance or something. We just physically had no access to it from inside the boat transom side.

I am wondering when doing my water inlet hose if I should just replace mine with the old style inlet hose to save the grief. I do have a fair bit of room as there is no thru prop exhaust and nothing above to get in the way. How difficult is it to do the compression or whatever the new style assembly from the inside of the boat? Is the old hose PN still available? I recall it was a PITA to install that one but don't remember the details, is the old hose easier to install?

Old style inlet hose pictured here in this kit-
https://www.mercruiserparts.com/8031...air-kt-transom

New style inlet hose and water inlet neck pictured here-
https://www.mercruiserparts.com/8m00...air-kt-transom

I don't see how anyone could get the new style one installed if there is a Y pipe present. I understand the new one may be an improvement but still looks like a royal pain when designed this way. There should have been a solid stainless pipe from the inside to the outside with a clamping gasket. It appears Merc made it as difficult as possible.