New bellhousing gasket bad ?

[Jmunk]

I have a Alpha 1 Gen 2 on my 2003 Sea Ray 182 with a 4.3L. I pulled the outdrive for its yearly inspection and all was good. Got a new Mercruiser bellhousing gasket set and put it back on. After it was together unnoticed that on the side of the drive with the oil line that gasket seems to stick out and I'm not sure that it's sealed up well. The area sticking out appears to be a small tab (approx 1/8"). Is this small tab normal? If it is the old gasket had the same small tab the orange sealant wasn't showing. Should I put on a new gasket? Is this small tab normal or did I get a bad gasket ?

 

[AShipShow]

Can't say for certain but that doesn't look right to me. I'd pull the drive again and make sure the gasket isn't damaged. In my opinion, you can probably still use it if it looks good.

 

[Brentathon]

I get some squeeze, but I haven't gotten that much. That would bother me. For $10, I'd do it again, and not re-use it. I don't like taking chances....especially since I keep mine docked all season.
Remember to start snugging down the center nuts first, and then do the top and bottom. I think that's even in the Mercruiser instructions. I creep up on the torque, too....I do it in stages..(30 ft-lbs, then 40 ft-lbs, then max torque.)

 

[crazy charlie]

I would loosen the drive and see if you can slide the gasket to where it should be.that looks like it was not properly placed from the start.Charlie

 

[JASinIL2006]

If it were mine, I'd pull the drive and get a new gasket. Not worth the trouble a bad gasket can cause to save $10.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Make sure your gasket surfaces are totally clean of oil and dry. Your gasket is pooched out, which usually means some grease or oil on the surface of it. I would replace the gasket, make everything squeaky clean and reinstall. Tighten the nut progressively to keep it from pooching out again.

Rick

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... My guess is,....
Either the gasket surfaces weren't cleaned well enough,....
Or,.....
Ya Waayyy over-torqued those nuts,....

Ya, I'd pull it, 'n start over,....

With my calibrated elbow(achris' term), I torque 3/8"-16 nuts, 'n bolts to Good, 'n Tight,....
The nuts holdin' the drive on, only gotta be Pretty Good, 'n Tight,...
Not, Really Pretty Darn Good, 'n Tight,....

'bout 45/ 50 ft.lbs....

 

[wahlejim]

Whenever I tighten those nuts I remember 3 things 1) They have to stay on when under way with no play whatsoever 2) I have to get them off again 3) Strippin the studs is a PITA

 

[Jmunk]

Thanks, I picked up a new gasket set. Just need time to pull the drive and put on the new gasket.

 

[Jmunk]

Follow up:

Pulled the drive and found the gasket had a tear, very possible I over torqued it. I put the new gasket on and pulled out the torque wrench. Tightened down the nuts down to 40ft lbs all appears to be well again.

 

[Jmunk]

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