a friend of mine that is in the automotive parts biz ( corporate guy for the biggest automotive aftermarket parts supplier) was in my shop the other day and we were talking boats. i had a new pair of bellows for mine siting on the bench and we got on the subject some prototype stuff they worked on in the past. he tells me they had developed some type of lube impregnated rubber that they made a water pump impeller out of that could be run dry with no damage. it was turned down by merc and volvo . . .anyway he asked me what the average life expectancy of a stock rubber bellows were and if there might be a market for a silicone one that could be gauranteed for like 25 years. so what i would like to know from everyone is how long do they usually last and would an extra long life replacment be somthing worthwhile. pricing would be competitive with merc stuff im sure. he has one of mine right now and is having his prototype guys try and whip a few up

sounds good to me.

Jon

I figure around 5 years for bellows before I change them, but I think most last longer. Now, if they could make one that installed itself, id really be interested. LOL

ahhh . . .a bunch-o-jokers huh . . . . . . i'll see what the tech guys say about the self installing bit.