reviving crank seals???

[crane]

Is there a way or product that has been tried that will soften up old crank seals? I have run in to a couple of leaky seals on old saws that parts are really hard to find. Seals seem intact(not cracked), just stiff and dry from years of sitting. Could they be immersed in a solution to make them a little more pliable? I understand that this isn't the right way to do the job, but for a collector who just wants to get the saw running for occasional use, is there any hope??

 

[dt6266]

funny you ask, i just saw this listed under chainsaws on ebay but honestly being in the car repair field for 25 years i dont trust any of this crap http://cgi.ebay.com/SEALS-GASKETS-H...c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|65:10|39:1|240:1318this

 

[crane]

funny you ask, i just saw this listed under chainsaws on ebay but honestly being in the car repair field for 25 years i dont trust any of this crap http://cgi.ebay.com/SEALS-GASKETS-H...c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|65:10|39:1|240:1318this

Might work on low pressure oil applications, but I too would be wary of fuel mix and pressure in the case.
Thanks for the link

 

[dt6266]

i beleive most of these additives contain some kind of chemical that actually softens up the seal and makes it swell up, but it also makes the seal mushey as all hell and it fails after a short time anyway, kinda like what ethanol based fuel is doing to a lot of fuel lines.

 

[bama]

I just take my old seals into the local Auto parts store. He measures the ID/OD and gets me what I need. Never had a problem.

 

[Modifiedmark]

I just take my old seals into the local Auto parts store. He measures the ID/OD and gets me what I need. Never had a problem.

Yep I have too, but there are some oddball sizes that are not standard listings. The real thin one on a 306a I just ran across for example they couldnt come up with and the industrial brg supply house couldnt either.

 

[bama]

Yep I have too, but there are some oddball sizes that are not standard listings. The real thin one on a 306a I just ran across for example they couldnt come up with and the industrial brg supply house couldnt either.

Bummer. Hopefully, I don't run into the same thing in the future.