V-drive front main seal (Mercruiser 350)

[Don S]

Re: V-drive front main seal (Mercruiser 350)

Merc had nothing to do with that design, it's a GM part.

 

[dcg9381]

Re: V-drive front main seal (Mercruiser 350)

Got it:
It's http://www.marinepowerservice.com/B...g Scorpion)/serial/0L002600 THRU 0M310009.cfm

Two versions available one w/o the crank sensor one with the crank sensor. (12+ hours)

I have two stories from local shops - one says it's a motor pull, the other says they can do it one the boat, just drop the pan down a little bit... (4-6 hours)

 

[dakine]

Re: V-drive front main seal (Mercruiser 350)

Getting the pan to re seal without a new gasket is iffy.
If it comes down OK and doesn't rip up the gasket then it might work.
I would coat the gasket with a non-hardening gasket sealer like Hylomar if I did it.
If it doesn't work you will be out six hours of work and will still have to pull the engine.
I would probably try to pull the pan and see how it goes.
If it comes off clean and the gasket isnt buggered...you might get luckey.

 

[dcg9381]

Re: V-drive front main seal (Mercruiser 350)

Thanks. I agree that loosening the pan is a concern with the OEM gasket. I don't know if the pan can be completely dropped and removed in the boat, due to sump and lack of removal path..

 

[Don S]

Re: V-drive front main seal (Mercruiser 350)

I have two stories from local shops - one says it's a motor pull, the other says they can do it one the boat, just drop the pan down a little bit... (4-6 hours)

Let me guess, if the pan leaks after attempting to just drop it down to replace the front cover, then you get to pay again to have the engine pulled. Which then makes it an 18 hour job. Read the blue part of my signature.

 

[dcg9381]

Re: V-drive front main seal (Mercruiser 350)

That's good advice... Thanks, Don.

 

[dcg9381]

Re: V-drive front main seal (Mercruiser 350)

Just an update, the Supra is braced in the rear and the motor just about sits against part of those composite braces on the floor. Basically impossible to drop the pan in the boat.

Motor gets pulled up about 6" to make this repair - along with the V-drive. Not an easy repair.

It's beyond my shop toolset, even with a cherry-picker, we'd have to build an I-beam hoist.

I found a local mechanic that gets about 66% of the local shop rate. It's a win for him as he actually gets paid the money that I'm laying out for the labor - instead of the local shop "employee" rate of $15/hr. I'm actually putting money into the pocket of someone working on my boat. The down side is that I don't have a local shop to yell at - maybe for better or worse.

 

[Bondo]

Re: V-drive front main seal (Mercruiser 350)

Ayuh,... Hope for the Best,+ Pray he gets the Alignment right,....
It ain't that big a deal if properly Equiped,....

 

[dcg9381]

Re: V-drive front main seal (Mercruiser 350)

I asked the alignment question. He indicated that most of the time the alignment doesn't have to be adjusted, but he made sure they were aligned when reinstalling and checked every motor that he pulled. He mentioned something about the gauge/feeler necessary to check it - but as I've never done one, I don't know the difference.

I can't detect this from BS that I'd get at any independent boat shop, but he could easily answer my questions. He's probably more motivated to do a good job than the $15/hr mechanic - or the mechanic that's getting "book time" and is paid more to do the job quickly...

I have a lot of respect for *good* independent mechanics - it's just the sorting them out that's painful... But the same can be said for dealer service.

So you're right, I'm taking a risk... But I'm down to not letting dealers work on my cars at all anymore (unless under warranty)... so we'll see.


I'm seeing dual v-8 V-drive ski boats on the lake... I'll bet they're $200k... Someone needs to design one that's reasonable to work on.