Main shaft seal - '78

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THall
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Location: Verona, Wisconsin
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Main shaft seal - '78

Post by THall » Sun Mar 30, 2014 11:33 am

I have my engine and transmission out of my '78 bus and split. Actually, the engine will be returning home from Adrian at Headflow Masters freshly rebuilt in two weeks!

In the meantime I'm taking care of what looks to be a leaking main shaft seal. In searching here and the Samba, there seems to be multiple schools of thought on removing and replacing said seal. In one post Colin mentioned a thread where he described removing the bell housing and tapping it out from the back side...but I can't find that thread? I guess I'm looking for advise on what folks have found to be good ways to take care of this procedure.

Can I also get a recommendation for where to order a good quality seal. I see multiple offerings on the Bus Depot site, but I'm not sure which to go with.

Here's what I'm working with:

Image

Image
'78 Westy 2.0 FI

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Amskeptic
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Re: Main shaft seal - '78

Post by Amskeptic » Sun Mar 30, 2014 12:56 pm

THall wrote:
looks to be a leaking main shaft seal.

where to order a good quality seal.
Does it have a gear oil smell? Was the crankcase/flywheel/clutch assembly free of engine oil?

With the collar off, it looks like you can snag and pry out the seal with a little hooked seal remover/little bent crowbar/screwdriver. The only warning is not to gouge the bore.

Quality seals? I think I would trust Long Enterprises or maybe Rancho Transmission to give me a suitable brand name, then you can ask your favorite vendors . . . or order directly from them if they would.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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ruckman101
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Re: Main shaft seal - '78

Post by ruckman101 » Sun Mar 30, 2014 2:17 pm

I struggled for a couple days trying to get that seal out with picks, screwdrivers, etc. My brother-in-law couldn't take it and brought down something like this for me:

Image

Which popped it out easy as pie.

Image


neal
The slipper has no teeth.

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Amskeptic
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Re: Main shaft seal - '78

Post by Amskeptic » Mon Mar 31, 2014 10:30 am

ruckman101 wrote: Which popped it out easy as pie.
Image
I don't WANT that PIE . . .
:flower:
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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ruckman101
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Re: Main shaft seal - '78

Post by ruckman101 » Mon Mar 31, 2014 11:50 am

That was after two days of fruitless endeavors with less than appropriate tools. It came out first little pry with the gasket puller.

neal
The slipper has no teeth.

Boxcar
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Re: Main shaft seal - '78

Post by Boxcar » Mon Mar 31, 2014 12:50 pm

Nice. ( santa please note)
1975 003 Auto Westy L90D

repair!!!!aug2015
Jan/16 Bumped mixture a few notches richer. finally developing HP.


1.8L/LJet/Pertron DVDA+PertronixCompufire 42/36Ham Heads/AA 93mm pistons/barrels.Porsc.Swiv.Adjusters/CromoSteel pushrds/ Web 9550Cam/55cc chmbr.,035 squish,8.6:1CR/German Supply VWCanadaReman Rods/Schadek 26mmPump/vdo dualOP8/10#low sender/Quart Deep Sump
Backdate Htr bxs,reflanged 914 4into1. Two and three eighths inch collector,magniflow*muffler

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THall
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Re: Main shaft seal - '78

Post by THall » Tue Apr 01, 2014 7:44 am

Thanks guys, I'm gonna pick up a gasket puller to get that sucker out.

Another question if I may - The clutch lever/spring assembly are really gunked up and I'd like to clean and re-lube. The Bentley shows shows a number of parts associated with the assembly and I'm wondering if there is anything I should be aware of in taking this apart? Or, should I even be taking it apart at all?
'78 Westy 2.0 FI

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Amskeptic
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Re: Main shaft seal - '78

Post by Amskeptic » Tue Apr 01, 2014 7:55 am

THall wrote:Thanks guys, I'm gonna pick up a gasket puller to get that sucker out.

Another question if I may - The clutch lever/spring assembly are really gunked up and I'd like to clean and re-lube. The Bentley shows shows a number of parts associated with the assembly and I'm wondering if there is anything I should be aware of in taking this apart? Or, should I even be taking it apart at all?
If you are talking about the release bearing, operating forks and lever on the bell housing, yes, take it apart, check for excessive clearance in the bronze bushings. They are replaceable parts. Clean carefully and look for any signs of potential cracking between the arms and the cross shaft.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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ruckman101
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Re: Main shaft seal - '78

Post by ruckman101 » Tue Apr 01, 2014 8:40 am

Oh yeah, it comes apart.

Image

Image


neal
The slipper has no teeth.

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THall
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Re: Main shaft seal/Clutch lever assembly - '78

Post by THall » Fri Apr 04, 2014 1:09 pm

The assembly came apart nicely and got it cleaned up. Everything looks to be in good shape. Also managed to get the main shaft seal out without too much trouble.

Image

Image
'78 Westy 2.0 FI

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Amskeptic
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Re: Main shaft seal/Clutch lever assembly - '78

Post by Amskeptic » Fri Apr 04, 2014 2:17 pm

THall wrote:The assembly came apart nicely and got it cleaned up. Everything looks to be in good shape. Also managed to get the main shaft seal out without too much trouble.
That is because you are an "artisan" unlike some of the savages around here . . .
Colin :cherry:
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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THall
Getting Hooked!
Location: Verona, Wisconsin
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Re: Main shaft seal/Clutch lever assembly - '78

Post by THall » Fri Apr 04, 2014 3:39 pm

Amskeptic wrote:
THall wrote:The assembly came apart nicely and got it cleaned up. Everything looks to be in good shape. Also managed to get the main shaft seal out without too much trouble.
That is because you are an "artisan" unlike some of the savages around here . . .
Colin :cherry:
ahhh yes, that's me Mr. Artisan....I do play guitar in a Grateful Dead cover band... :drunken:

So looking ahead to the install when my new seal arrives...Bentley says to lightly coat the outer surface of the new seal with a sealing compound and lube the rear drive shaft and seal lip with transmission oil.

1. What would be an example of said sealing compound?

2. As for the outer surface...pardon what may be an obvious question, but that would have to be the outside perimeter that contacts the the recess in the housing, correct?

3. And seal lip would be the inner ring that contacts the shaft?

Thank you!
'78 Westy 2.0 FI

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Amskeptic
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Re: Main shaft seal/Clutch lever assembly - '78

Post by Amskeptic » Fri Apr 04, 2014 7:38 pm

THall wrote:sealing compound?
outer surface?
seal lip?
Permatex Aviation is an excellent sealant.
Yes, outer surface. Sealant
Yes seal lip. Grease

Colin :compress:
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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THall
Getting Hooked!
Location: Verona, Wisconsin
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Re: Main shaft seal - '78

Post by THall » Sat Apr 05, 2014 7:06 am

Thank you Colin....truly appreciate all that you do for this community!
'78 Westy 2.0 FI

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