alpha one oil seal groove

[airshot]

A question to the experts, I have a 3.0 (1983) with #6408105 alpha one outdrive that I am going to replace the upper oil seal and large O ring. Book says to watch for groove on yoke shaft, my question is how much groove are we talking here? mine has a slight groove mabey .005/.006 deep, is there supposed to be no groove at all? This is my first I/O, been an outboard man for almost 50 years so this is a learning experience for me.
Thanks in advance for the usual quality information on this site.

Airshot

 

[airshot]

Re: alpha one oil seal groove

After a more carefull review I find the seal groove to be about .002, mabey .003 deep at best.
There does appear to be a slight raised ring on the seal itself that appears to ride in that groove.
Do not know if this is normal or not, have new seal to install just need to know if shaft is OK.
Airshot

 

[airshot]

Re: alpha one oil seal groove

I guess this question is not as important as the many milky oil, and water leak questions that abound on here so I withdraw this thread/question.
Airshot

 

[dubs283]

Re: alpha one oil seal groove

the groove is normal, see it all the time, just clean it up with some light emery cloth and brake cleaner

when i find the yoke seal surface to have a deep groove i press the seal into the carrier about 1/16" past the edge so the seal rides on a "fresh" surface of the yoke shaft

be sure to pack the backside of the seal and the lips with 2-4-C grease

 

[matthysone]

Re: alpha one oil seal groove

Just replaced this seal on my pre alpha. I had a groove that was lightly pitted and seamed abrasive. The new seal measured .015 smaller than the yoke so figured I could machine off the surface some. I had a machinist at work turn it down. Took off .003 and the seal was still plenty tight and later passed my pressure testing. The machinist charged charged me one atomic fireball for the work.