Front Main Crank Seal

[Diesel Cruiser]

Have the 12v out of my 98 pulled and tabbed and changed front main seal. Although Cummins supposedly started using loctite on 98's checked the bolts and didn't find any loose. Installed wear sleeve and seal on cover. When dry fitting, whole opening looks to be cockeyed on crank. Checked the front cover for damage with straight edge and reinforced area in back is straight. Don't see any damage to cover. Is this supposed to be this way? Going to plan on using Thanks. Paul in Alaska

 

[Timd32]

Been 2yr since I had mine apart. I replaced my cover with a new one, the pics might help hard to say was not taking them for this exact purpose. Looks like my original one could have been a little bit off could also just be the photo angle.

My new one the seal looks very uniform around the crank.

If its not centered around the crank it might cause issues. The front to back would not think that would cause too much harm.

I have my old cover in the pile im sure, if I remember and have time tomorrow can take a look at the cover and see if it looks off in any way.

 

[Timd32]

I dont have the most accurate work bench, but when I measure from the edge thru the hole to the table with the cover clamped down.
.881
.888
.911
.916

From the outside to the edge of the cover is about .585 +/- a few its got a little curve towards the bottom of the lip most of the way around

.

My stock one seems pretty close.

 

[Diesel Cruiser]

I dont have the most accurate work bench, but when I measure from the edge thru the hole to the table with the cover clamped down.
.881
.888
.911
.916

From the outside to the edge of the cover is about .585 +/- a few its got a little curve towards the bottom of the lip most of the way aroundView attachment 107889 .

My stock one seems pretty close.

Thanks for checking on this TimD32. That seemed like a great way to obtain a baseline so I measured mine similarly. Although I don't have a Starrett like yours (drool), I think the measurements were fairly accurate. .836 was the high and .709 was the low. .125 difference compared to your .0585 (think you missed a zero).

This causes me to understand the advice to install from the back, but the fitment ring tool that Cummins includes is used on the front which would install the seal with a skew to the crankshaft even with the .05 difference you have.

All advice I've seen states to have seal installed evenly on crankshaft or it will go bad quickly. Before I try to straighten or buy a new one, I'd sure like to know if our covers are the norm or not. Not going to install this and then have to do it again in a short time IN the truck.

Paul

 

[DonFitzwater]

I’ve done several and they are usually pretty straight. Something is certainly bent in yours. Get a new or different cover. Somebody probably got a little over zealous during a crank seal install at some point and fudged that cover.