Alpha 1 Upper Seal Replacement

[CaptainRMF]

About to do a reseal of my Alpha 1 upper gear housing. I would like to know, if I'm just replacing the seals and not the gears or bearing, as they are fine, do I need to go through the whole reshiming process ? Or can I just reassemble and retorque the drive gear nut, the retainer nut and the top cover bolts.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Alpha 1 Upper Seal Replacement

About to do a reseal of my Alpha 1 upper gear housing. I would like to know, if I'm just replacing the seals and not the gears or bearing, as they are fine, do I need to go through the whole reshiming process ? Or can I just reassemble and retorque the drive gear nut, the retainer nut and the top cover bolts.

No expert here, but I do know there is also a preload check. Maybe others will come in and assist

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Alpha 1 Upper Seal Replacement

Shimming would only be required if you removed any of the gears and bearings. Minor disassembly for a reseal shouldn't require re-shimming. Just be sure to take note of how any loose parts come out so you can put them back in the same order including the direction of the seals themselves. Good luck.

 

[achris]

Re: Alpha 1 Upper Seal Replacement

In order to replace the front seal the bearing pack needs to be disassembled. If you have the later style you will need to set the pre-load (as alldogde pointed out). For that you need the procedure and the tools. Have a look in the videos in the sticky section and you'll find one that shows how to do it.

Chris...........

 

[bspeth]

Re: Alpha 1 Upper Seal Replacement

Wish I'D done mine myself,the shop turned out to be ignorant buttheads.

 

[CaptainRMF]

Re: Alpha 1 Upper Seal Replacement

Thanks guys for all the replies. I have worked on all my Alpha Ones for about 20 yrs. myself. Water pumps, prop seals, u-joints, shift bushings etc. Most were older style with the small preload spacer on the drive gear shaft. Simple, torque to 80 ft.lbs. done. This is the first new style with pressed on bearings. Have the complete Merc shop manual to follow. I guess I'm gonna have to get me an Inch Pound torque wrench for this one. Just wanted to make sure I'm not making extra work for myself. Thanks again for all the help. Richy

 

[achris]

Re: Alpha 1 Upper Seal Replacement

I hope your manual is the real McCoy, not some shoddy aftermarket collection of worth dribble... (btw. If it's not the genuine factory manual, it may lead you up the garden path. Trash can it)

 

[CaptainRMF]

Re: Alpha 1 Upper Seal Replacement

Good morning Chris. I do have orig. Merc. manuals #s 4,6,9 and 15. Got them from a friend who went to Mercruiser school to get certified. They are a little greasy but perfect. Have never used after market ones, don't trust them. Also as "bspeth" said, had bad experience with shop that did my first drive. Since then, I do all my own work. Plus others at the boat yard grab me, when I'm not fishing of course, to do their work. Should have checked here first though before I bought the 2 Merc. shimming tools. Those suckers are expensive. Maybe I'll sell them because shimming is a long drawn out process as you know. Takes me TOO many BEERS to get it right!!! Thanks again for the help, this is a great site for info. Richy