Replace front seal 3.0

[north40]

Anyone have rough idea what it should cost to replace front cover seal on 1987 3.0 merc engine? Thanks<br />Bob

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replace front seal 3.0

If you boat in the Salt,.... You'll probably find the Timing Cover is Rusted Thru......<br /><br />Otherwise,... The Seal,+ Gaskets aren't over $20.00 or so.......<br /><br />Labor,..??.. I Dunno,.. I do all My own Work......

 

[north40]

Re: Replace front seal 3.0

Thanks Bondo.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Replace front seal 3.0

depends<br /> depends on if your going to pull the motor or beat the crap out of the crankshaft thrust bearing, me and bondo have a differing view on that issue.<br /> it also depends on clearence.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Replace front seal 3.0

Why would anyone want to pull the engine to replace the timing cover seal? Support engine, remove front mount, use puller to remove balancer, remove timing cover, replace seal and gasket and reassemble.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Replace front seal 3.0

and hammer the ell out of the crank thrust bearing, thats why if I do it I pull it, the tool that holds the balancer to the hub in place and the flywheel set on blocks I can tap the balanvcer back on if the other tool does not work. the other tool bolts in place of the front mounts and pushes the balancer back on. usually in most hulls there is a clearence issue and some balancers are rather tight. but every hammer blow is transmitted directly to the crank thrust bearing unless the flywheel is supported. its a simple law of physics. and while that soft babbited bearing is good at absorbing crank end play its not desighned to take a hammer blow. seems in the infinate wisdom of GM they never drilled the crank snouts to accept the installation tool that the rest use. its usually the difference in doing it right as opposed to just doing it.<br /> its just how I do it, if the customer does not like my price there are lots of other places to take the boat. its always the customers choice.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replace front seal 3.0

Rodbolt,.......<br />Though I admit to being an Old Fart,.. With a Failing Memory,......... <br /><br />I Don't Remember, nor do I think I would have advocated Beating on the Crankshaft, with a BFH..........<br /><br />You're No Doubt Right,........A BFH has No Place in This Operation................ <br /><br />While I'll Admit to some less than orthodox procedures,....... Maybe Warming the balancer,+ Chilling the Crank with CO2,.......<br />A BFH Wouldn't be a Tool Selected...........<br /><br />After All,.............<br />I'm an Admitted Backyard, Shade Tree, Hacker Mechanic,.......... <br />Not a Marine Tech............. <br /><br />You maybe Right,....... I just Don't Remember....................................

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Replace front seal 3.0

I most likly suffered a mental lapse myself, seems there was a large argument on the BFH subject a year or two ago. thats why I just said we may have a differing opinion. most hulls I see you dont have room to remove the balancer much less install it.<br /> nothing wrong with shade treeing it. i have been known to use an oak tree as a cherry picker myself when nessasary.<br /> but some shade trees get a bit carried away.<br /> have I ever hammered one one? on an old cadilac once and a few early 327/283 motors that did not have drilled cranks. did not like it then but its much harder to pull most auto engines than boat engines.