Mercruiser 140 1985 timing cover question

[Ed Harris]

1985 mercruiser 140 question. When replacing the timing cover will it be necessary to pull the engine and will I have to drop the oil pan.

 

[harringtondav]

I just did the same to replace a rusted through cover on an '88 3.0L, and had the same concern. I followed the advice of kenny nunez and simply pulled the cover off. There is a rubber seal attached to the cover by pull through rubber rivets. The cover pulled away from the seal, leaving it stuck to the oil pan. I just got the new cover, gasket and shaft seal. I plan to clean the lower rubber pan seal with solvent, and use a good engine RTV to seal the bottom of the new cover. I don't foresee any leaks.

 

[Alumarine]

I've done the same as harringtondav a couple of times with good results.

 

[Ed Harris]

I have that front motor mount that is not curved and sort of covers the entire timing cover so will I have to lift the front motor mount to do this job and if I do have to hoist the front of the motor will I need to pull the out drive off?

 

[Scott Danforth]

yes, if you remove the front mount, you will have to pull the drive to re-align

you should be checking alignment every 1-2 years

 

[Ed Harris]

I knew it. I was just hoping someone would lie to me and tell me what I wanted to hear. I just put the drive back on to sea trial the shift cable and now I started finding oil dripping onto the motor mount box in the front. Plus the rusty timing cover has an oil sheen all over it

 

[Bondo]

I knew it. I was just hoping someone would lie to me and tell me what I wanted to hear.

Ayuh,...... You'll hear alota things here at iboats,..... But you won't hear that,.....

 

[Ed Harris]

Changed out timing cover today. What a pain getting bolts started and squeezing the rubber gasket onto the oil pan. A small punch saved the day on lining up holes though. Pulled the drive things looked good in there, lossened the rear bolts, took lag bolts out of box and bolts off the front and pulled the whole motor mount Assembly off. Used a chain hoist to hold front of motor up. Took a couple hours but got it done.