What goes here...

[branden0502]

I was out on the boat yesterday and the belt came off. when i got home and dug into it this is what i found....It's a 3.0 mercruiser from an 88 caravelle. I found pieces of what looks like a gasket that goes inbetween the two, my question is is that all that should be there is the gasket, or am i missing something else?

Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: What goes here...

Looks like you are due for a new harmonic balancer.

 

[branden0502]

Re: What goes here...

so that rubber gasket that was there is not replacable? I have to replace the whole part?

 

[Don S]

Re: What goes here...

No repair. That "gasket" is actually a rubber ring that is bonded to the outer pulley, and the inner hub.
Yes, you need a new one.

 

[branden0502]

Re: What goes here...

ok thanks. where can i find a parts list for that engine or does anybody have the OEM part number for that balancer? I called the local shop and they want 600$ to change it. Im pretty sure i can change it, it's basically just a pulley that you just pull off and put the new on right, or do you have to redo the timing, or its more complicated that that?

thanks

 

[stonyloam]

Re: What goes here...

Looks like #22 here: http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...HAFT,+CAMSHAFT,+WATER+PUMP+(140-3.0L/181+CID) Does not appear to bolt on, so it is probably a press on job, but am not sure.

 

[Don S]

Re: What goes here...

Can't see how much room you have to work with in front of the engine, but you need 10-12" in front of the dampner to get it off with the puller.
Then you will have to pull the drive, support the front of the motor, remove the front mount and do the repair. Put it back together, re-align engine and put the drive back on.

If you don't have room like most don't, you pull the engine to do the job.

 

[branden0502]

Re: What goes here...

what do you mean "pull the drive" and "re-align the engine? I have plenty of room in the front. Is there any special i have to do to remove the front mount other that support the engine, or is that what you mean by re aligning the engine.

 

[Don S]

Re: What goes here...

You have to remove the drive because the ujoint shaft going into the coupler has to come out of the coupler. Then when you raise the front of the engine to get the front mount off, you don't damage the coupler.

Any time you remove the front motor mount, you need to check the alignment and re-align it if it's off.
This thread from the stickies should help you understand. http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser...utdrives/engine-alignment-how-tos-443992.html

 

[nola mike]

Re: What goes here...

what do you mean "pull the drive" and "re-align the engine? I have plenty of room in the front. Is there any special i have to do to remove the front mount other that support the engine, or is that what you mean by re aligning the engine.

After messing with the front mount, the engine will need to be aligned so that the coupler, uh, aligns with the drive shaft of the out drive. The out drive needs to be pulled to do the alignment. A site member put a good how to on youtube a couple of years ago for how to align the engine. You need an alignment tool, which you can get on ebay for $30 or so.

 

[nola mike]

Re: What goes here...

Those were the videos I was thinking of as well...

 

[branden0502]

Re: What goes here...

thanks for all the help guys, hopefully it all goes according to plan.....

 

[branden0502]

Re: What goes here...

so one more question, i have plenty of room in front of my engine to pull the balancer of, I dont need to lift my engine, I intend to suport it right where it is, so if I mark the front mount and install it the same way it came out do i really need to re align it. Im not trying to do things the lazy way, so dont flame me....I just dont want to do extra work if i dont have to.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: What goes here...

You should check it with the tool.... hopefully it will still be on

 

[thumpar]

Re: What goes here...

Alignment is a maintenance item anyway. You should be doing it already.

 

[Don S]

Re: What goes here...

so one more question, i have plenty of room in front of my engine to pull the balancer of, I dont need to lift my engine, I intend to suport it right where it is, so if I mark the front mount and install it the same way it came out do i really need to re align it. Im not trying to do things the lazy way, so dont flame me....I just dont want to do extra work if i dont have to.

I wouldn't have mentioned it to begin with if was just to give you something to do. As mentioned, alignment is one of those things that gets checked every year. You also need to grease the splines (YEARLY). Or you will be finding out how to pull the engine to replace the coupler.

When you remove the front motor mount, you may not get it back together the same way as it came off. Just the gaps between the bolts and the holes they go in can change things.

Pulling the drive and checking the alignment is just part of preventive maintenance done on a yearly basis. If you don't things go bad in a big expensive way.

 

[branden0502]

Re: What goes here...

Thanks Don. I just bought the boat wednesday. I guess ill pick up an alignment tool when i get a new balancer. I have the old on off, just have to wait till the store opens back up monday. Thanks for all the help

 

[achris]

Re: What goes here...

Did you pull the drive off first?

 

[branden0502]

Re: What goes here...

I did not. i wasn't going to pull it off until i was ready to put the front mount back on.

i rented a puller from the auto store and pulled it off, but my cam isn't threaded so the installer tool won't work, whats the best way to re-install it?