I am replacing my oil sump gasket, and decided to change the shaft seal while I was at it. It didn't appear to be leaking, but it is 11 years old and while the cover was off was the time to do it.
I have never gone this far into a small engine before, but I have rebuilt Ford 390 and Pontiac 455 and 400 V8s with no problems, so I am not a complete novice on mechanical repairs or tools. I used a proper size seal or race installer tool set. I used a Briggs & Stratton 795387 seal.
I installed the seal flush with the pan surface (twice). The shaft is clean and has no corrosion, rust or rough spots. I greased and oiled both the seal and the shaft, but twice now, when I gently lower the pan, shaft through the seal, it catches the seal and damages it. Am I missing something? Should I install the seal after the pan is attached? This shouldn't be this difficult.
I have never gone this far into a small engine before, but I have rebuilt Ford 390 and Pontiac 455 and 400 V8s with no problems, so I am not a complete novice on mechanical repairs or tools. I used a proper size seal or race installer tool set. I used a Briggs & Stratton 795387 seal.
I installed the seal flush with the pan surface (twice). The shaft is clean and has no corrosion, rust or rough spots. I greased and oiled both the seal and the shaft, but twice now, when I gently lower the pan, shaft through the seal, it catches the seal and damages it. Am I missing something? Should I install the seal after the pan is attached? This shouldn't be this difficult.