Replacing 3.0L crankshaft seal

[Wakeboarder141]

I have finally figured out that my major oil leak is from my crank seal. I have been reading up on this and am planning on giving it a shot this weekend. I have read that I will need to use some sort of allignment tool. Is that something you could typically rent/borrow or would I need to buy one? I would assume the engine needs to be supported for the front mount to be removed to allow the pulley to come off? Would the actual seal be available at a regular auto parts store? I am going to review my manual when I get home from work, but any other tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.<br /><br />Aaron

 

[tommays]

Re: Replacing 3.0L crankshaft seal

the 3.0 was never used in autos so a merc dealer will be a beter place to get the seal<br /><br />you need to support the motor very carefully and should really pull the drive so the alliment can be checked after your done so you dont damage the coupling<br /><br />if you do a search there are a lot of posts about pulling and putting the harmonic balancer back on saftely (PUTTING IT BACK ON IS THE HARD PART)<br /><br />tommays

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Replacing 3.0L crankshaft seal

what tommays says

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Replacing 3.0L crankshaft seal

hello<br /> again. the crank has 2 seals. on is called a timming cover seal and the other a rear main. I am assuming your talking about the timing cover seal. be aware that the seal rarly fails. normally its a rusted out cover. if the balancer is grooved use a speedi sleeve for a late 50's early 60's 153 in a chev truck.

 

[Don S]

Re: Replacing 3.0L crankshaft seal

I have to agree with rodbolt, very seldom does a marine engine loose a front seal. The timing cover is usually the first thing to go. If the cover is rusty, I would be very suspecious of the cover, not the seal.<br />There are tools you can buy/rent for putting on the harmonic balancer, as long as you have the room in front of the engine. You also will need to remove the front engine mount to do the job, that means finding a way to raise the engine up about 1/2" so you can romove the mount.