Replacing the Water Pump Cam Seals on 1982 Mercruiser 470

[ChazzL]

I am going to replace my cam seals on my 1982 Mercruiser 470. I am ordering the parts tomorrow and will probably start disassembly this weekend, and re-assembly next week, after the parts arrive. But I have a couple of questions first.
I have had water only in the engine now for a week-and-a-half, -no rust inhibitors, etc. (I'll be draining it shortly anyway). Is that a rust problem? If I drain it and it sits empty for a week is that a worry?
The instructions at http://www.sterndrives.com/470information/470coolantleakrepair.html are great, but at one point it says "You will also need a way to press out the old seals and a way to carefully press the new seals into place without warping or cracking the timing cover." I am imagining I can make a puller and installer with some bolts, nuts, big washers, etc., but any suggestions would be helpful. (I like natemoore's homemade tools at http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=353035 Great stuff).

I DO NOT want to remove the engine. That's more than I can handle right now. This repair will be done on the covered boat lift. I will have enough clearance for rotor
removal, etc. (with a little creativity...). My concern is the oil pan gasket. Is it really THAT much of a critical issue? I can be very patient and careful when razor-blading the gasket for release, but the instructions make it seem darn-near impossible. Is it possible? What's the best gasket sealer to use when putting it back together.

It says: "Coat the nose of the crankshaft with a thin film of Perfect Seal." before installing the rotor back onto the crankshaft? That's the sticky gasket sealer stuff...Is this correct?

Thanks for any help. I'll take pics as I go.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Replacing the Water Pump Cam Seals on 1982 Mercruiser 470

The oil pan gasket is pretty important. I was not able to save it under the front cover. I had picked up another and cut it to the area that was visible under the cover. put some silicone in the corners where pan, block and front cover meet, it has not leaked (knock knock) yet in about 2-years since it was done.

The thing about the front cover is lets say you lay it flat on a work bench. The part of the cover where the seals are does not touch the bench, so What I did was support the cover as close to the seals as possible so as not to stress the cover when removing them. I think I either used a seal puller or hammer and punch and gently tapped the old ones out, and a socket to tap the new ones back in, with a block right under where the seals go.

Good Luck with it.

 

[dn010]

Re: Replacing the Water Pump Cam Seals on 1982 Mercruiser 470

For the pan gasket under the front cover - I bought a roll of cork gasket material from the local auto store - much cheaper than a pan gasket and can be used for other parts. I cut the shape out and used shellac (also available at auto parts store) to seal it. I use shellac for pretty much everything on engines as far as sealing gaskets (with or without gaskets) and I haven't had it leak yet. I used the same method to remove and install my seals as Eric - with support underneath the cover for the seals to be tapped out/in with a hammer and socket and my cover STILL warped slightly!

If you are using speedi-sleeves on the camshaft - I used them and they were pretty tight on the shaft - some people report their sleeves are loose and need to use loc-tite between the sleeve and shaft - just an FYI I guess. Perfect seal? Didn't use it, the rotor is pretty well pressed onto the shaft when you tighten the bolt so I didn't see a need.

No problems to report after many many hours of continued use, I hope to keep that up. Good luck, let us know how it goes!

 

[ChazzL]

Re: Replacing the Water Pump Cam Seals on 1982 Mercruiser 470

Thanks guys. Pretty much what I figured. I think I'll just have some cork gasket handy (need to find out thickness when I get in there). I'll buy a seal puller (cheap tool). Re-installation wit5h proper support and socket should be fine.
I'm not familiar with "Shellac" (unless you're talking about varnish, which I doubt). I'll check it out at the auto parts store.
Thanks!

 

[dn010]

Re: Replacing the Water Pump Cam Seals on 1982 Mercruiser 470

Its typically a small brown bottle with a white top, called "Indian Head" Gasket shellac made by Permatex. I'm sure other sealants will work just just as well - just a matter of preference here I suppose.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Replacing the Water Pump Cam Seals on 1982 Mercruiser 470

NAPA (Permatex) aviation sealant in place of perfect seal. I think the sealant on the crank nose is to keep oil from seeping out between the crank and rotor. Just a tiny amount should do it. Use a good torque wrench when putting the covers back on, they crack easily:facepalm:. Good luck

 

[boattoy]

Re: Replacing the Water Pump Cam Seals on 1982 Mercruiser 470

I literally just finished doing this and now it doesnt leak a drop out the weep hole. I had to get the skf speedi sleeves and I used green sleeve retainer made by permatex. For the drain ive never used cork on any oil pan ever because they always tend to soak up the oil amd leak so I cut the front of the pan gasket and then used ultra grey to seal it back up.i put a good bead towards the front so it would kindapush it in. I also let the silicon dry for about an hour while,i assembled everything then tightemed pan bolts so it wouldmt just all smush out. Doesmt leak any oil!