DB 990 front crankshaft seal replacement

[mennometis]

What is your preferred way to align the timing cover and/or new crankshaft seal with the pulley? Assuming you don't have the special tool.

 

[joestewart]

I have gone through about six David brown engines and I eyeballed the front seal on all of them. Another way to say it: I lined up the front cover / seal the best I could without the special tool. No leaks yet.

 

[Tgrasher]

Is this like a rear main where you roll the crankshaft over with cover bolts loose to center the seal?

 

[mennometis]

The timing cover is light enough to be held up by the seal lip and mostly centers when you push in the pulley. I put a bit of upward pressure on the cover and tightened the top center bolt.

I have gone through about six David brown engines and I eyeballed the front seal on all of them. Another way to say it: I lined up the front cover / seal the best I could without the special tool. No leaks yet.

Thanks for the reassurance. Most likely my leaks were from my UTV gasket maker not sealing at the bottom (it won't seal to oily surface and washes out, I guess). I decided to replace the seal while going to an OEM gasket.

 

[mennometis]

I have gone through about six David brown engines and I eyeballed the front seal on all of them. Another way to say it: I lined up the front cover / seal the best I could without the special tool. No leaks yet.

What did you torque cover bolts to?