thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...

[boatsngoats]

Re: thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...

my crank shaft is not threaded.

well, I dont know what you mean.. Maybe you can snap a pic? Every engine that I have ever replaced has threads in the center of the crank. The Harmonic balancer may not just "Slip" onto the crank it needs to be put on with some force. then yea, the bolt gets torqued down to ??lbs/ft (45 maybe???)

one way to get the balancer back on .. in your garage, is to take one of your scrap 4x4"s that is longer than the Dia. of the balancer... lay it on there, and smack the SNOT out of it with a hammer. until its on. Now, that is not the "perfect" way to do it, but it will work.

Sorry, that's all I got. Hopefully someone else has a better idea for you.

 

[jimh1626]

Re: thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...

You have a bolt with a big washer that threads into the crank. Put the balancer on then thread that bolt in and it will slide on. Also, you do know it is keyed. Just make sure the slot is lined up with the key way.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...

I guess the question is: Did you have to remove a bolt to get the balancer off? If you did, it must be threaded, parts book says 1/2-20 bolt. If not maybe they did not use a bolt on later years??

Anyway, this is what the "book" says

"NOTE: If a suitable torsional damper installer installation
tool is not available, use a block of wood as a driver.
Be very careful not to cause pulley or weight to
shift on their rubber mounts."

Good luck.

 

[alexr254]

Re: thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...

I am in the process of completely rebuilding 2 of the mercruiser 470s.

I have never changed a spark plug before on an engine. Although i do have help from my dad who has years of mechanical knowledge, but not on this engine in particular.

I am following the service manuals, following advice from these forums and learning as i go along.
If i can do it, anyone can who has drive and patience to learn.

and some money to spend of course

 

[mr rookie]

Re: thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...

well thanks guys.. i had heat up harmonic bal. w/ a torch, till oil will sizzile on it. and it will contract and dont heat shaft just clean it w/ 600 fine steal wool and lil oli and had to pound it on w/ a block of wood and a 2 lb. hammer went lot better than i thought .. And to reply 2 ur questions of was there a bolt ? No bolt just pressed on w/ a keyway used a harmonic puller to pull it but had no threads to press it back on. and it was just a dinple like 3/8 deep w/ no threads no busted bolt or any thing its a gm block w/merc parts a 1998sea ray 3.0merc cruserw/ a alpha1 out drive now lets hope when i take it out it dont leak, or wasnt hurt in any way thanks agen mike the rookie machanic master carpenter......

 

[boatsngoats]

Re: thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...

i had heat up harmonic bal. w/ a torch, till oil will sizzile on it.......

Im sorry to say.. but you should probably take that thing back off and put it in the dumpster.. its more than likely ruined. The Rubber probably separated from the metal and it wont harmonically do anything except become a spinning missile.

This is my opinion. and if by some chance you dont have a rubber insert.. then disregard... but I would probably replace it and use the correct installer if its that hard to get back on.

 

[ChazzL]

Re: thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...

There are 6 bolts. Alignment: The drivrshaft for the outdrive goes through the gimbal bearing into the engine coupler. The engine must be set so that the driveshaft goes absolutely straight through the bearing into the coupler. If you raise or lower the engine on the front mount it changes the alignment and puts stress on the bearing and coupler causing either or both to fail. If you raise it and put it back to where it was, chances are that the alignment will be off. You use an alignment tool to make sure everything is straight when you put it all together again.

I just did this on a 1882 470 Mercruiser. I hoisted the engine an inch or so and removed the front motormount without adjusting it. When done I bolted it back in exactly the same spot. Will this still need alignment?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...

I just did this on a 1882 470 Mercruiser. I hoisted the engine an inch or so and removed the front motormount without adjusting it. When done I bolted it back in exactly the same spot. Will this still need alignment?

It would be the wise thing to do.

 

[mr rookie]

Re: thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...

guys it never ends i need help seting my mind at ease. i got all that work did it twice cause it leaked 2 the main seal. Now no leaks great love just as im smileing and wipe n her down got to the out drive and leaned on it side to side and noticed it has a smige of play not sure were its coming from. its like the out drive moves and the gimbel barring is sound is this som thing serious? must u pull the motor and outdrive to repair this? will it last 2-3 more outings , till end of the year ? help THIS SUC*S

 

[mr rookie]

Re: thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...

do u think i did not alighn it good enuf and thats y it has lil play? put stress on this as u spoke of stontloam?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...

Side to side play in the outdrive? Retorque the two grimbal ring clamping screws (two bolts at the top of the gimbal ring) to 55 ft lb.

 

[mr rookie]

Re: thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...

sweet, tomorow i will. i hope thats it. that alighnment thing is a pain. and i stress to much thanks for th peace of mind . ur thoughts are trully apprecated thanks bud.

 

[mr rookie]

Re: thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...

sorry yes side to side bus a small amount

 

[mr rookie]

Re: thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...

so i torqued the to bolts on top of the gimbal to 55 foot lbs.did nothing. but its got worse from the drive to my buddys barn about 45 mindrive . im 95 percent sure the slop is in the hinge pins that attatch the gimbal ring to the bell housing i have one on each side and u can see the pinhas play n it. Now is this an exspensive fix man im so overwellemed here .dont want to give up but thinking of taking it in to dealer? PSis it caused by me running with out anysuport on out drive? pa has bad roads. thanks guys. :facepalm: pulling hair..

 

[mr rookie]

Re: thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...

so what do uthink 1/4 in play side to side looks to be @ the hinge pins no up and down is this ok ? not sure.

 

[mr rookie]

Re: thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...

stonyloam what do u think and should i get a transom saver will this prevent more play ? till i can save the money for all this . any thoughts are greatly appreciated

 

[stonyloam]

Re: thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...

stonyloam what do u think and should i get a transom saver will this prevent more play ? till i can save the money for all this . any thoughts are greatly appreciated

Need to know what kind of side to side you are seeing. Is it straight side to side (push it and it moves over to one side), or is it side to side like the round gimbal hinge pin holes have become oval? The former you might just need to replace the synthane washers on th ebellhousing, #7 here http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...96/4.png&inbr=1942&bnbr=90&bdesc=BELL+HOUSING if the latter i believe the hole can be enlarged and a bravo bushing and hinge pin can be installed. The good news is your ring seems in good shape otherwise. As for using it, I do not know. Good luck.

 

[mr rookie]

Re: thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...

ok hey stoneyloam question 4 ya i had the dealer look at my out drive and they said it had water in it so i paid them 1500.00 to replace shift cable bellows u joints seals and so on now i took the boat out and it wonders a couple feet back an forth like its drunk drivn was never like this and they say its not what they did. and ring is in exelant shape ????

 

[mpdive]

Re: thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...

Not a good idea to heat a harmonic balancer. You probably melted the rubber and it could either come apart on you or have a severe vibration. You just get it started with a block of wood and let the bolt pull it up the rest of the way. I would go get another balancer and definately advise you againt using that one...

 

[Simoniz]

Re: thinking about changing my timming cover my self any tips? thanks...

A lot of the 3,0l Mercs dont have a bolt on the front end of the crankshaft, no thread, nothing.

The harmonic balancer is just pressed on and held in place by the interference fit.

When I had mine apart, I refitted it on a cold winters day and heated the harmonic balancer in a pan of hot water and it went back on pretty easily with a few taps from a copper hammer. I also think heating it with a torch until oil sizzles on it will have ruined it.

Ideally, one would make a press or drill and tap the end of the crank.