How much of a groove is a groove?

[babikov]

I am replacing the upper seal (one on the short yoke) in the Alpha One Gen II outdrive. It leaked the gear-case oil into the bellows and further into the bilge. I hoped to be done by replacing the seal alone, but, as it was predicted by several experts on this site, there is a groove on the metal surface of the short yoke. I can see it, and touch it. It's there. And the old seal sits differently over the grooved surface, than on the original surface.

I took measurements. The damaged surface diameter is 2.244". The good surface diameter 2.248". Measurements are rather consistent in various directions. So, the depth of the groove is 0.002". Is this OK? Or it must be repaired anyway?

One advise was to use a product called speedi-sleeve to restore the surface. I looked at their web site, and the wall thickness of the sleeve is 0.011", which is 5.5 times thicker that the groove! My question is: is this OK to have such a significant increase in diameter? To my (unprofessional) view this would make the seal tighter, increasing the friction, temperature, and wear? Is this OK? Isn't it better to have a 0.002" groove rather than 0.011" sleeve?

If I install this sleeve, should I use a different (larger) seal? Are there larger (and smaller) seals like that manufactured? If there are smaller seals, should I simply use that with the existing groove?

Furthermore, in order to place the sleeve, it looks like one has to disconnect the short yoke from U-joints. Then, should I simply replace it with a new one?

Thanks for any advise.

 

[Rick Stephens]

I just put one of those sleeves on the rear crankshaft journal on my kid's 300 six Ford. And I used a standard FelPro one piece main seal over it. Since the sleeve is so much harder than the crankshaft material, results are usually that you NEVER have to replace the seal again, even though it is on a larger tighter surface.

It will work just fine.I bought my sleeve and installer tool from a manufacturer called Silver Seal. That made install a lot easier, used the installer for both the sleeve and the seal.

Rick

 

[achris]

The way I check a groove is with my fingernail. If it catches my nail as I draw it across the groove, it's too deep. As for the speedi-sleeve being so much thicker, never had a problem. Just use the normal seal provided with the kit and it'll be fine. As for installing the speedi-sleeve, just remove (as you must already have done) the nut, drive gear and the bearings. Slide the seal carrier and locking ring off and you have access to all you need. No requirement to remove unis, if they are in good condition. Clamp the yoke in a vice and drive the speedi-sleeve on with the provided installation tool. What I have is a single installation tool with a hole in the middle so the yoke can pass thorugh it. Just hammer (gently) around the edges of the tool. With this particular surface, you don't even need to remove the installation lip from the sleeve when you are finished.

First clean all the oil from the surface, use meths/turps/acetone etc. Then put a thin layer of sealer, like loctite 515, on the yoke, Install the sleeve. Based on your measurement of 2.248, I would use the 99226 sleeve (2.237-2.243). The next size up is 99225 (2.249-2.255) and may be a little loose.

Chris........

 

[Speak]

Great write up - I found this very interesting. When you get to the repair could you post pictures or video of how you do all this ? Would love to see - Stu

 

[Bondo]

but, as it was predicted by several experts on this site, there is a groove on the metal surface of the short yoke. I can see it, and touch it. It's there.

Ayuh,...... SKF part # 99225 is the speedi-sleeve ya need,....

 

[babikov]

Thanks for suggestions. Couple more findings and questions.

First of all, the sleeves #99225 and #99226 are both too wide (about one inch, while only half inch will fit). Can those be cut to the right width?

There is another sleeve #99227 that has the same size as #99225, but is of the correct width. I ordered it. Since it is not going to be too tight (minimal diameter is 2.249, while my shaft is 2.248) I am going to add some sealant. Should that be more like a permanent thread locker (Permatex red) or more like a sealer (Permatex liquid gasket)?? It was suggested above that Locktite 515 is used. That must be similar to Permatex gasket, correct?

One more related question. The manual does not indicate any sealer on the outer surface of the seal. The original part has some blue/green coating on that surface. I assume that is a sealer, and should be sufficient. However, in some tutorials people use Permatex liquid gaskets. In other they put some grease on it (to facilitate installation). What do you recommend?

Thanks.

 

[achris]

I always put the seal in dry. The coating is the sealer.

 

[Rick Stephens]

I always put the seal in dry. The coating is the sealer.

Me 2