Dripless Shafts-How 2 Identify Manufacturer?

[alarmpros]

I recently bought a 88 30WE and I need to redo the seals on the shafts as well as a cutlass bearing. I did not dive in just yet and I am preparing as much as possible. Are all seals for dripless shafts the same or do I need to know who made the Dripless? Also. where do I find the Serial Numbers of the blocks? I would like to be able to get the cutlass bearing too, but everyone wants to know I.D. and O.D. Are these things just known by the kind of boat? In other words, can't they just look up the boat and tell me?

Thanks
New Owner
Chris

 

[fwebster]

An '88 300WE did not come from the factory with dripless shaft seals. It was originally supplied with an old style stuffing box where you have to periodically replace the packing and tighten a packing nut to control the shaft drip. If your boat has dripless seals, they were added somewhere along the way and are most likely a Tides Marine Sure Seal if the big hose on the shaft log is blue silicone rubber. If you want to change to the dripless or replace the ones you have, you will have to order replacements based on your specific boat and for the shaft dia and the shaft tube Sea Ray used in 1988. Most were 2 5/8" X1-1/4".

Your cutlass bearing should be 1-1/4" X 1-1/2" X 5" but cutlass bearings are specific to the strut used on your boat, not to the boat or engines, so verify the size before buying bearings since they are about $100 ea.

Your local Sea Ray dealer is the usual source on most information on Sea Ray boats. Most things can be looked up by the boat model and year, but many components back then were frequently changed based on what was currently available. For that reason, you have to verify almost everything. Understanding that Mercruiser only supplied the engines and Sea Ray chose the shaft, strut, and other components helps keep you out of trouble. Similarly, Sea Ray only built the fiberglass parts of your boat, some cabinetry and upholstery.......everything else was a purchased component that Sea Ray selected. More times than not, the local dealer's microfiche is correct, but you still have to verify sizes and models to save yourself getting the wrong items.

Also, other than information, your Sea Ray dealer isn't going to be much help in getting anything but Sea Ray specific items like logos, labels, etc from Sea Ray. They don't retain molds and don't usually service parts for older boats unless the same part is used on a newer model. You will be pretty much on your own to find what you need.

The 300WE is one of Sea Ray's best boats ........well worth the effort to keep her maintained and looking good. Hope that helps.........

 

[alarmpros]

Very helpful, thanks. Yes, these dripless's were replaced a short while ago by the previous owner.

Chris

 

[Pirate]

Post a pic and I bet someone can probably identify.