470 Cam seals. How much, and how hard?

[Fordiesel69]

Is this a job for a home mechanic? I have twin 470s and the starboard engine leaks real bad. If it is too hard, how much typically would a shop charge. Right now it is an EXTERNAL leak only and there is no MILKSHAKE YET!!!!!!! Someone local did convert his to raw water so it would just leak plain water, but I am not doing that.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 470 Cam seals. How much, and how hard?

Is this a job for a home mechanic? I have twin 470s and the starboard engine leaks real bad. If it is too hard, how much typically would a shop charge. Right now it is an EXTERNAL leak only and there is no MILKSHAKE YET!!!!!!! Someone local did convert his to raw water so it would just leak plain water, but I am not doing that.

It is not too bad. If you have room to pull the harmonic balancer, you have it made. I assume you have leaking from the weep hole. That is bad, and good. You have two seals in there, the high pressure seal has failed and coolant is leaking past it, but it all leaks out of the weep hole and the second seal is keeping it out of the crankcase. read this: http://www.sterndrives.com/470information/470_coolant_leak.html I don't think you should have to mess with the motor mount. You don't need all of the special tools thay list. You can rent (for free) a puller/installer from Autozone that will work. Lots of guys here have done it, come on back with any questions. Good luck.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: 470 Cam seals. How much, and how hard?

Engine MUST come out. I have no room in this engine compartment. Looks like fun.......

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 470 Cam seals. How much, and how hard?

Engine MUST come out. I have no room in this engine compartment. Looks like fun.......

Then it will be WAY cheaper to DIY. With the engine out, not easy but not too hard either. If you get the Autozone puller you will have to use a spacer for instillation, because of the depth of the balancer, seems like I used a socket to take up the space. Use NAPA (permatex) aviation sealant where it calls for perfect seal. Plan on replacing the crank oil seal in the cover. You may be able to get away without the sleeves if the cam is not grooved too bad (I did not use them, holding for 7 years now). You will probably mess up the front of the pan gasket, just get some gasket material and make your own (save $80). Check the timing chain and tensioner. Cost? If you use something like Sierra parts, figure gaskets, seals (2 cam, 1 crank), sealant, misc about $70, sleeves add another $70 or so, dealer wild guess $500-$800. Be careful when you put the covers back on,not to overtighten them, they are cast Al, and will crack. If you have an alternator, don't bother to put the stator back in. Oh and the cam seals both face forward (garter spring side toward the front, high pressure side). Have fun, welcome to the 470 club :facepalm:.

 

[boatdiver2011]

Re: 470 Cam seals. How much, and how hard?

I did mine at the start of last season. I found it much easier with the motor out, not too bad a job. Just keep your patients! While the motor is out of the boat, it's the perfect time to inspect everything front to back and top to bottom. Just be careful when pressing out the cam seals, like already stated those parts a cast aluminum, and expensive. I did mine over the course of 2 days after work, then another 4 fussing over the rest of the engine.

Good luck!