1987 mercruiser closed system cooling system

mcook5 · Jun 11, 2008

Hey guys,
I am at my witts end with my cooling system. I have a 1987 170 hp mercruiser, inline. It has a closed system. I have posted questions on my system before, but i have a specific question about it now. Do I have to take off the whole belt system in the front of the engine to enable the removal of the cooling system housing to replace the gaskets? I have an anti-freeze leak and I have drained the system, taken off the hose, but now I can't remove the front panel of the housing. Any helpful hints would be great. Cheers.

Don S · Jun 11, 2008

Re: 1987 mercruiser closed system cooling system

You don't have a gasket leak, you have a cam seal leak. I gave you a link to the OEM service manual. Read it.
It may requier a new cam or some have fixed it with a speedy sleeve. But if you aren't a mechanic this job is probably more than you want to take on.
It's an involved process to fix properly.

mcook5 · Jun 11, 2008

Re: 1987 mercruiser closed system cooling system

thats what a mechanic told me...ill have to get another opinion

bomar76 · Jun 11, 2008

Re: 1987 mercruiser closed system cooling system

mcook5 said:
thats what a mechanic told me...ill have to get another opinion

Two mechanics have all ready given you their opinion.
Now you are just shopping for the answer you want to hear.

Don S · Jun 11, 2008

Re: 1987 mercruiser closed system cooling system

You can lead a horse to water, ............................

jerryjerry05 · Jun 11, 2008

Re: 1987 mercruiser closed system cooling system

Listen to what the mechanics have to say.They KNOW. No gasket is gonna fix that.The cam seals need to be replaced. Mercruiser makes a kit for that.
Just be careful not to damage the waterpump shaft. I had a customer bring me the cam and had twisted off the shaft. It was ruined.Jerry

mcook5 · Jun 14, 2008

Re: 1987 mercruiser closed system cooling system

no you misread what I had written. I didn't say I needed a different opinion from what you gentlemen are saying; I need another opinion from what the mechanic has told me. I am NOT shopping around for the answer I want to hear. I wouldn't ask you for your opinion if I only wanted to hear one specific thing; that wouldn't make any sense.

mcook5 · Jun 14, 2008

Re: 1987 mercruiser closed system cooling system

Sorry you misunderstood me; ill try to be more clear next time.

Bondo · Jun 15, 2008

Re: 1987 mercruiser closed system cooling system

ill have to get another opinion

Ayuh,... Ok,....

Now you have 3 more Opinions that you need to Replace the Cam Seal.....

mcook5 · Jun 15, 2008

Re: 1987 mercruiser closed system cooling system

once again, when I say I should get another opinion, it was not meant about the cam shaft replacement and how you guys were trying to help. thanks again for your help. I'll try and figure out how to replace the cam seal

VIC1 · Jul 31, 2010

Re: 1987 mercruiser closed system cooling system

Gentlemen I have the same leak as describe here but, I can't seem to locate the speedy sleeve can anyone helpo me with this ?

Bt Doctur · Jul 31, 2010

Re: 1987 mercruiser closed system cooling system

try google. they are a very specific size collar. you must know the dia. of your camshaft,EXACTLY to get the correct sleeve for your application.
By the way, always start your own post so it dosent get lost
http://www.sterndrives.com/mercruiserhelp.html

1987 mercruiser closed system cooling system

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