Replacing cam seals and have some questions..

[boltonranger]

Boat is an '88 Stingray SVB176SS
Motor is the 3.7 merc with I/O

I noticed weep hole weeping and finally got into the motor tonite.
(Motor is in boat)
Have been reading rereading the fix notes here and at sterndrive site.

Got the motor torn down to where the timing chain is exposed.
I found the hardest part was separating the timing cover from the oil pan gasket.
What a job. Spent most of my time on all fours with my head upside down resting on the deck.

My problem-
The separation didn't go too well. The gasket was original and mostly bloated; mushy and swollen.
The oil pan bolts were not tight at all.
When I got the cover off I could see the gasket was torn in a few places; probably some by me and some from being mush.

Sterndrive site says if you ruin the gasket you must pull the motor and replace the oil pan gasket. I'd like to avoid that if at all possible...So I've been thinking.

I'm considering either creating a gasket using some kind of sealant in a tube or buying some cork and creating a new "front" piece for the gasket that I can glue to the pan and "caulk" the ends with some sealant.

Really could use some practical advice here..

I have permatex blue rtv silicone.
I also bought some Napa No. 2 Non-hardening sealer for the corners.
- What would / have you used?
- Should I use cork and RTV?
- Cork, RTV, and No.2 sealer?
- Just RTV and no. 2 sealant?
Also would it be better to wait until after I re-assemble and then fill the gap/crack with sealer? (Like caulking the gaps in a tub surround.)

So glad I pulled it all apart; I'm intending to clean up the shaft with emery; mic it and order speedi-sleeves.

Lastly; I removed & inspected the timing chain tensioner.
It has perhaps 1 to 1.5 mm of wear.. Should I change it for such a small amount?

Thank you for your thoughts.
-br

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Replacing cam seals and have some questions..

The Mercruiser Service Manual#8, also states that the oil pan gasket must be replaced whenever the front cover is removed.

I had a spare oil pan gasket from an engine gasket set, I cut the portion of the gasket that is under the front cover and used blue RTV especially in the corners. Then let it harden for a couple of days before I started it up. The cut gasket piece is how it is instructed to do in the Clymer repair book. It hasn't leaked a drop yet.

To pull the oil pan out for a new gasket, would probably require at the min. lifting the engine higher in the boat to drop it down and out. I would try the cut gasket material to complete the oil pan gasket and if it didn't seal then do option 2.

Those speedis are real small, pay close attention to where the seals need them to be. I missed the front one on the 1st attempt and had to do it over again, (had to push it alittle deeper on).

Good Luck,
Eric

 

[boltonranger]

Re: Replacing cam seals and have some questions..

Eric do you know how much clearance is actually needed to drop the oil pan?
-br

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Replacing cam seals and have some questions..

probably different on every boat.