Upper and lower reseal...HELP!!!!!

[ASI Imperial]

Hello Friends<br /><br />Well just heard from my local boat repair shop!!! Gave me an estimate of $550 dollars to re-seal the upper and lower unit. This is nuts!!Anyone know how to do this?? I figured i would save some time on my restore of this boat but looks like i will be resealing it my self! so any help would be great! Its a alpha 1 outdrive merc 140hp. He said he presure tested it and found that the lower was not holding pressure. I am to assume it is the shifter shaft seal since it was wheeping gear oil out the wheep hole on the lower unit. Should I take the chance and reseal the whole thing or just replace the shift shaft seal?? Any and all help is needed!!!Or this boat is going to sink!!!<br /><br />Thanks for listening and for replys in advance!<br /><br />Brian-asi

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Upper and lower reseal...HELP!!!!!

ASI, Alpha 1 drives have seals at the shift shaft, prop shaft, under the water pump and on the gearcase (to allow lube to travel into the upper gearcase). Most of the trouble I have had has been with the waterpump base seals and the seal between gearcases. I would replace those first and see if the problem goes away.<br /><br />PS the easiest way to replace the waterpump base seals is to buy an complete aftermarket pump base, and install it. The individual seals are hard to find and can be difficult to install, and the price is close.<br /><br />PPS replace the impeller at the same time if it is more than a year old.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Upper and lower reseal...HELP!!!!!

ASI - One more thing. The seal between the upper and lower gearcases is included in the $4-6 outdrive gasket set. You should replace all the gaskets and orings that are in the set.

 

[ASI Imperial]

Re: Upper and lower reseal...HELP!!!!!

I have replaced the water pump last summer so what now?<br /><br />thanks <br /><br />Brian-asi

 

[ASI Imperial]

Re: Upper and lower reseal...HELP!!!!!

Any other helpers out there? Hit a brick wall here!!

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Upper and lower reseal...HELP!!!!!

Maybe the Mods should move this to IO's and inboards forum.. Perhps ASI can get some more help there..

 

[JB]

Re: Upper and lower reseal...HELP!!!!!

Moving to I/Os

 

[Bondo]

Re: Upper and lower reseal...HELP!!!!!

$550.00 for a Rebuild Isn't that Bad...........<br /><br />It'll Cost you More than that,<br />Just for the Proper Tools to do it Right..........<br /><br />Do it 1/2 A$$ed,+ You'll be Replacing the Whole Drive...............

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Upper and lower reseal...HELP!!!!!

hello<br /> pay me now or pay me later. my shirt does not say maytag.<br /> that is a very reasonable price for a drive seal job. takes a few hours. usually close to 8 depending on corrosion. either buy the special tools nessasary for seal and bearing carrier removal or pony up the bucks and support your local tech.<br /> like bondo says, do half witted and the drive will be a replacement item.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: Upper and lower reseal...HELP!!!!!

ASI, look here for the tools you wil need to take the drive apart:<br /> http://www.mercstuff.com/basictoolsrequired.htm <br />I will agree with Bondo and rodbolt,Let a pro do it. Its hard finding all those little pieces on the lakebed when the drive comes apart.

 

[ASI Imperial]

Re: Upper and lower reseal...HELP!!!!!

A poor mans pockets run shallow!! I felt I should have someone do the job If 550 sounds reasonable I will have to wait until next season to get it done. Will take a look at the tools i need to do job. Thats all i really need. I will keep ya posted with what I find. Will do some calling around to see if I can find. Dont need my drive blowing Up!!<br /><br />Thanks Brian-ASI

 

[Rhadley]

Re: Upper and lower reseal...HELP!!!!!

Why not replace the easy seals first and see if that fixes the leak, as Chris1956 said? Or did you mean that you replaced them last year with the impeller change?

 

[anesthes]

Re: Upper and lower reseal...HELP!!!!!

I just did this to my drive. I didnt do the lower, just the upper. You need a spanner wrench to pull the upper apart, some patience and experience working with seals, etc. I've seen that tool as cheap as 55.00 online and its about 75 at the merc dealer.<br /><br />The lower you need another special tool to take apart, which I don't have.<br /><br />You also need a special tool to pull the bushing out of the shift rod. Well more like thread out. <br /><br />If your mechanic said the lower isn't holding pressure (I guess he split them and tested each individually?) then you prolly just need to do the shift shaft bushing. www.mercstuff.com has the part and the tool to do it.<br /><br />On mine however, it was the drive shaft seal on the upper. Which required the drive to be split, and the upper entirely dissasembled. <br /><br />Good luck. <br /><br />-- Joe