470 camshaft seal repair

[ImperialV184]

I have been meaning to ask this for a while, I have the front cover off and see the traditional grove worn in the cam. only one grove the rear seal looks ok. I will post a picture tonight. so from what i am reading the traditional repair is to use a speedy sleeve or ready sleeve. my question is, is this a permanent fix or just a temp fix that will eventually form a grove in the speedy sleeve. If it is temporary about how long does this last?

 

[fmalott]

Re: 470 camshaft seal repair

I have been meaning to ask this for a while, I have the front cover off and see the traditional grove worn in the cam. only one grove the rear seal looks ok. I will post a picture tonight. so from what i am reading the traditional repair is to use a speedy sleeve or ready sleeve. my question is, is this a permanent fix or just a temp fix that will eventually form a grove in the speedy sleeve. If it is temporary about how long does this last?

correct until the speedy sleeve wares out and how long it takes i guess it would be the type of metal and how often you used the boat. i just rebuilt my 470 i was fortunate enough that i didn't need speedy sleeve. i also asked the same question and a lot of people said once you put the speedy sleeve on it gets a little harder to get the seals to slide on over the sleeves but they said it could be done

 

[telstar1]

Re: 470 camshaft seal repair

The speedi sleeve repair lasts a very long time. I had to do mine at 3 years,+/- 400 engine hours. I then went 17 years without a problem This was several thousand hours,boat in salt water 24/7.Only drawback I found was when I wanted to change timing sprocket(another story,much time wasted)I had to remove speedi sleeve. Basically it comes off with the sprocket. Dont worry you should never need to do that and its easy if you do have to.In short the speedi sleeve repair is a good way to go.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 470 camshaft seal repair

Permanent fix? Nothing is a permanent fix, but it is unlikely that you will have to do it again. I did mine about 10 years ago without a Speedi Sleeve and it is still holding. If (when) I have to do it again the sleeve will be used. Couple of other things, you might consider is replacing the timing chain tensioner, and replace the crankshaft oil seal too.

 

[vincechig1975]

Re: 470 camshaft seal repair

I have my 470 apart, is it recommended to have a speedie sleeve installed while it's apart, even if it might not need it? I guess that it would be for preventative measures? Is there an actual part number for the sleeves? I have heard that they may be available, if this is true than the only replacement would be a new cam and seals. I just would like to make this a project that becomes an " issue free" engine for a long time.

 

[telstar1]

Re: 470 camshaft seal repair

Just measure the camshaft diameter and phone the local bearing place. They will be able to order one to fit. You install it yourself paying particular ttention not to push it on to far.

 

[vincechig1975]

Re: 470 camshaft seal repair

Are there any photos of the proper installation techniques? Diagrams or maybe personal accounts of such? Just curious as I am learning as I go with this one. I already have the rebuild kit for it.... luckily for me there isn't and issues with my 470 but just as I said if putting one in ( speedie-sleeve ) would eliminate an issue later on then doing so while torn down is my best course of action preventitively speaking that is and all the cylinders measured great within specs for a 470 ( per Mercruiser Tech ) and the pistons and valves all are in great shape so this would be a basic overhaul, most of all I have to replace lifters and push rods ( they were mixed up when they were taken out so new is the only way to go here) then the major regasket and get the carb rebuilt after that. They say Mer-carb were tough to do ( rebuild) is this true or someone's bad experiences ( lack of such) ?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 470 camshaft seal repair

Here ya go: http://www.vsm.skf.com/~/media/Files/enUS/HeavyDuty/TechTip/TT08_021.ashx

 

[vincechig1975]

Re: 470 camshaft seal repair

Thanks Stony, Telstar, I just read that link, liked what I was reading. I might just get the sleeve just for safety sake and keep it stowed away.
I have heard different things that are problems for the 470's but just what are they...... reoccurring issues due to people not maintaining them or flaws from the factory they didn't realize ( you know engineers) not saying anything negative but the best engineer is the guy who tries it, breaks it and fixes it weather in the field or at home ( I call em mechanics) . I am one and a good one will be able to fix just about anything and make it work....even with a bit of training. Might be why taking this project on just for fun intrigues me, and now it haunts me.....lmao. Love provin some people wrong, a friend of mine told my wife yesterday that he'll never be able to get that thing back together, she replied you don't know my husband, you say that now but when it's done you'll be eating your words. Then she told him, you get him mad enough he'll
be even more determined to get it done to make you eat those words. He kinda smirked at her and said we'll see, all she said was you sure will. Determination, persistence , perseverance, and most of all a bit of bubble gum, duct tape and some sweat blood and tears, and it will be done ....oh I forgot....Coors to help over the humps a bit. and friends to keep the supply of beer going and give you that clapping hand just when ya need it, and to help drink that supply of adult beverage.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 470 camshaft seal repair

most of all I have to replace lifters and push rods ( they were mixed up when they were taken out so new is the only way to go here) then the major regasket and get the carb rebuilt after that. They say Mer-carb were tough to do ( rebuild) is this true or someone's bad experiences ( lack of such) ?

A little off subject, but just replacing the pushrods and lifters may not be the wise thing to do. Reason, there is no adjustment for the valve lash other than pushrod length, so all of your new pushrods have to be the correct length, and you will not know that unless you measure the ones you have. If your lifters are in good shape, the only reason that the pushrods need to go back in the order they came out is that they could be different lengths. What I would do is line them all up and see how they line up for length. If they are all the same, go ahead and use them. If some are different, install them and measure them as in the service manual, and swap them around to get them to fit. There are only eight so it should not be too bad. Check this to see how to make a valve lifter compression tool: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=353035&highlight=470+tools good luck.

 

[dubs283]

Re: 470 camshaft seal repair

the only reason that the pushrods need to go back in the order they came out is that they could be different lengths. What I would do is line them all up and see how they line up for length. If they are all the same, go ahead and use them

worked with a guy who told me a story bout a fella who said all the pushrods/rockers have to go back in EXACTLY the same way they came out

said the motor wouldn't last two weeks if done improperly

anyways, this guy that i know would swap out rods and rockers when the guy was on break and after the motor was together and running like a song comment on how great everything sounded and its a good thing he got everything back together the right way!!

never had a motor come back either

only in race motors do things need to be put back accordingly

 

[vincechig1975]

Re: 470 camshaft seal repair

sounds like an easy plan guys ,just got back from the marine store with my outdrive parts, this ought to be fun.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 470 camshaft seal repair

Page 3A-11 of manual #8 shows how to check valve clearance.

 

[fmalott]

Re: 470 camshaft seal repair

i thought this was a 470 camshaft repair thread? i think this thread got hijacked

 

[ImperialV184]

Re: 470 camshaft seal repair

Thanks for all the information, i was just trying to gauge the effectiveness of the repair vs a new cam shaft. It sounds like the repair actually holds out better than the cam which is very interesting. It is a very innovative concept to use the cam shaft to power the water pump, it make the design look simple vs an eternal water pump but what a mess it creates. From what i can tell there is really no effective way to add an external water pump. I have no idea how many hours were on the engine when i got it. I am trying to decide if i want to take out the cam or not, i am leaning towards leaving it in and just making the repair. i will try to get some picture of the project tonight.

 

[ImperialV184]

Re: 470 camshaft seal repair

The manual has instructions on how to test the timing chain tensioner, i was thinking i might just replace it anyway. I was intending to change the crank seal as well, funny how that seal does not put a grove in the crack shaft.