3.0 Mercruiser Torsional Damper install

[bw13aq18]

My engine is a 1998 Mercruiser 3.0l. I had to replace the timing cover seal. I'm now ready to reinstall the torsional damper. The Mercruiser manual says to use a special tool (threaded shaft that gets threaded into the crank which will allow a nut to push the damper onto the crank). My crank does not have a theaded hole allowing the use of such a tool. The merc manual has a note stating that a block of wood and hammer maybe used if the special tool is not available. I'm guessing that my engine is not unlike many of the other 3.0 s out there. Is the block and hammer method the most commonly used????? Thank you for any input.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: 3.0 Mercruiser Torsional Damper install

If you don't have a threaded crank snout, then the block of wood and hammer is your only other choice. If memory serves, you can warm up the balancer first to make it easier to put on.... but anyway you look at it, you will end up having to pound it back on.

 

[bw13aq18]

Re: 3.0 Mercruiser Torsional Damper install

Thanks. I will lightly heat the balancer and hopefully not have to tap too hard.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: 3.0 Mercruiser Torsional Damper install

Here's another way... Warm up the balancer in the oven, say 200*. Get a chunk of dry ice and hold it on the crank snout for a couple of minutes, freezing the crank shout. Use heavy gloves and wrap the dry ice in a towel so you don't get frost bite. After your wife stops complaining about engine parts roasted in the oven, have her grab it, then hand it to you right after you pull the dry ice off,,, and... In one swift motion, slide the balancer onto the crank. I've done this the last couple times I had to put a balancer on, without the correct tool.

The hard part is finding a place that sells dry ice, it's usually $5-10 for a chunk.

Oh yeah, make sure you lube up the seal before sliding the balancer on.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: 3.0 Mercruiser Torsional Damper install

The hard part is finding a place that sells dry ice, it's usually $5-10 for a chunk.

Actually the hard part will be explaining to your wife why the house smells like grease now!

I made the mistake of coating a set of exhaust manifolds for my car - the kind of coating that needs to be heated to cure the paint. Baked them in the oven.

Took weeks for the house to air out.

That was the last time I will put any car / boat parts in the oven.

 

[JWebber]

Re: 3.0 Mercruiser Torsional Damper install

You can always use a can of air duster upside down, thats stuff gets cold and is cheap.