NEED A NEW CAM!

[dumbhead9]

Hi guys,<br /> Well,I have a 89,3.7L Merc. I had a shorted stator so I wanted to convert to the alternator and bought the kit.I noticed that antifreeze was leaking thru the weep hole in the timing chain cover,classic I know,anyways,took the boat to my regular boat mechanic and had him just do it all,meaning the conversion kit,speedi-sleeves,new gaskets and seals and such.Well,guess what,still freakin leaking.Maybe just a little worse then it originally was.The mechanic said everything went back together nice and snug and that he thought that if any engine would have been fixed it would've been mine.He said that he has done many 3.7's in the past and some just cant be fixed that way and now I need a new cam.Does anybody make an after market cam?The only thing i've found is on a Mercruiser site and it's $366.Does that sound right to you guys?Thanks for listening and any replies!<br /> Dave

 

[Laddies]

Re: NEED A NEW CAM!

If you can't find a donor engine, about the only place to get a new one is mercury, I had a shop that repairs hyd. cyls. plate a old shaft and tunn it back down and it worked fine, so might ck in your area

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: NEED A NEW CAM!

I'm not familiar with that motor, but I would check if a speedi-sleeve could be fitted over the seal area of the cam.<br />Fixed my propshaft 2 seasons ago that way - no leaks yet...

 

[dumbhead9]

Re: NEED A NEW CAM!

Well,I just seen where a cam for a 3.7L went for $36 on EBAY that had 125 hours on it,dang!<br />hystat,I did have the speedi sleeves installed.<br />I do have access to a machine shop where i work,so I'm thinkin about pulling the cam out myself and have them build it up and turning it back down.Does anybody know what the measurement should be on that part of the cam,or can I just take a new seal and have the machinist go off that measurement?What do you guys think about doing all that?

 

[Boatist]

Re: NEED A NEW CAM!

I guess I must be dumb but why would antifreeze be anywhere near the CAM. Cam runs in oil not antifreeze. Sounds more like a water pump, Freeze plug or gasket problem to me.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: NEED A NEW CAM!

boatist, in mercs infinite wisdom the camshaft drives the circulating pump impeller, if the cam cover or shaft seals leak ya can get antifreeze in the oil. there is a weep hole so the operator can see coolant draining if it leaks.<br /> usually what I find is either the wrong speedi sleve was used or the sleeve to cam sealant was missing. occasionally the seals would get pressed in backwards.<br /> I would recheck the seal installation and sleeve installation before pulling cams.