re-installing merc sleeves

**coffeeguy** · 01-26-2018, 06:01 AM

When reinstalling more then one sleeve(I am doing all 6), do I do them one at a time hold in place, clamp down to hold in place,then reheat the block for each individual one after that and keep repeating the process?

**faztbullet** · 01-26-2018, 06:59 AM

When we did them we heated block and froze sleeves in liquid nitrogen.Just slid block out ,,dropped in a bank,reinsert for 10 minutes and then drop other bank. Then off to the Mazak.

**coffeeguy** · 01-26-2018, 07:15 AM

No access to liquid nitrogen. Sleeves would be room temp .

**patchesII** · 01-26-2018, 07:20 AM

You could at least put them in a freezer

**coffeeguy** · 01-26-2018, 07:23 AM

I have heard the freezer isn't a good idea vs room temp as it causes the block to cool to quickly. But I don't have any experience. I do it with bearings but they are a small quick install .

**ChrisCarsonMarine** · 01-26-2018, 07:53 AM

Heat the block to 450,install the sleeve at room temp,I would top off the block heat between sleeves,chris

**wrechin2** · 01-26-2018, 01:12 PM

I put block in oven at 450 for 1hr 25 minutes and put all in at room temp the same time. Just done 6 last night. After I get in I take a flat plate and seat each one. The sleeve will move a little with a little force. Inspect the sleeve at the bottom at the step to make sure they are flush. Just my experiences.

**wrechin2** · 01-26-2018, 06:45 PM

I tried the put in freezer deal and it caused the block to drop temp and grabbed the sleeve. What a mess. Then when I put a aluminum or nic sleeve in, block at room temp and sleeve in liquid nitrogen. Works great. I have tried the steel sleeve in nitrogen and didnt get in before block grabbed it. Had to heat up and then finish lining the ports up. So if you don't get it in or lined up don't worry. Let it cool and then reheat and then you can line them up. Shoot for .0035 interference and you will be golden.

**Michael J Giesler** · 01-27-2018, 05:57 PM

The scary part is when you first drop a sleeve in it looks like it is sunk in and you look at it and go **** then keep looking the sleeve will go up to flat when i first saw that i was like dam

**Chaz** · 01-28-2018, 01:07 AM

It's always a loaded question when all the facts are not present . I guess it's easy to assume since he's talking about doing all 6 holes that they are all going back in steel . But with the supply drying up a bit , people are going farther under the bench to see what's fixable .
Everybody has what works best for them . And different materials require different methods . But I can't think of any where room temp is the quickest or easiest .
A steel sleeve in a freezer is a bad idea , or ice water .. the steam it produces will keep you from making that mistake again . Nothing wrong with refrigerating it though .And if that kills the heat in the block , the heater program needs to get dialed up a notch. Or as Chris put it , topped off .
Doing a lot of NIC blocks I find that while expensive and makes parts handling dangerous and awkward without the correct equipment to go fluidly from one motion to the next , it really is the least invasive ( of course that's after you shock it to 1000* to weld it back together) requiring only around 200* preheat to the block . because the Liquid Nitrogen is boiling off at aprox -125 below Zero . Which puts the sleeve in a semi cryogenic state .
Maybe H2O Dave will speak a little about cryogenic meta-lax table treatments .

**wrechin2** · 01-28-2018, 09:32 AM

You're right Chaz all information is needed. I automaticly assumed that this was the 2.4 fatblock project that he was doing my behind the liner mods to.

**baja200merk** · 01-28-2018, 12:44 PM

FOr steel I only put them in the fridge when it’s 100* in the shop (6 months out of the year). I got it pretty easy cause The newer evinrudes don’t have the interference of the older ones or other brands. I can usually slide all 6 out when the blocks 350* on my gun. Dono if they did that cause they are All flanged sleeves or what but .001 less interference sure makes life easier. That aluminum sleeve crap really makes you work for it.

**Chaz** · 01-28-2018, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by wrechin2

You're right Chaz all information is needed. I automaticly assumed that this was the 2.4 fatblock project that he was doing my behind the liner mods to.

James since you know him and his project , that puts you about 100% righter than the rest of us who can only guess at the parameters ... LOL

baja200merk

FOr steel I only put them in the fridge when it’s 100* in the shop (6 months out of the year). I got it pretty easy cause The newer evinrudes don’t have the interference of the older ones or other brands. I can usually slide all 6 out when the blocks 350* on my gun. Dono if they did that cause they are All flanged sleeves or what but .001 less interference sure makes life easier. That aluminum sleeve crap really makes you work for it.

Kev , I'm glad you mentioned that . I had to laugh at myself this morning when I thought about what I wrote last night about not knowing all the info. It look's like that goes for what the weather is like where ya live too ... Some of em might gotta put the thing in the oven to come up to room temp ...

And yes .. that Liq.N. will burn ya just the same as if it was glowing cherry red , except for without the warning signs flashing ...