Lots of good pointers in this thread.

Fellas I must ask. I've replaced a lot of waterpumps in my life and yes its a pretty easy job. But what is the deal with the o-ring at the top of the shaft the goes into the power head? And do you need it? My lower unit came of with out one. I did the coat hanger trick to try and get it out with no luck.

It's to help keep grease on the driveshaft splines and prevent saltwater from getting in there and seizing them together. Without it the grease will wash out and the splines are likely to seize into the crank leaving you with a 1 piece engine that can't be taken apart. I've had one like this in the past, and MJ had one as well.

i have seen alot of guys here at the boat ramp when they get there boats out of the water the rev the living **** out of there motors i think there trying to get all the salt water out of there motor but at the same time i think there heating that rubber impellor to the point it fuses to the housing and next ime they go out it ends up breaking i have never had to replace one on all the outboards i have had and when i no im not going to use my boat for a while i run the engine in a tank add some truck wash and watch all the white snow come out then i drian the tub fill it with fresh water and add 2 litres of wd 40 let if run for a while and then im happy :nice:

Yes I had to junk that motor! Left it hanging upside down for a week and it still would not come apart!!

All the reving up in the world will not get the salt out, has to be fresh water flush after, and that isn't enough really, the best way is to take to a lake or something and dip it in, and run it for a bit.
I flush mine with the hose after every use!

opps i said sn-w

christmas
 

Jdog, lots of good advice here & if your impeller is old you should replace it. But take a look athe guys that said check for dirt daubers in the pee hole. We all live on the north Gulf like you & we've been there done that.

I remember replacing an impeller years ago & the old one looked fine, started it up, no water, poked a piece of weedeater string in the hole, bam!, muddy water & peeing away!

Check the easy stuff first.

Doug

yeah that o-ring at the top is a good thing, i've had one stuck too. had to cut the drive shaft then remove the power head and heat then pry the shaft out of the power head...

did you get the boat fixe---is there a happy ending---

I did this to one before. The driveshaft was stuck so tight I ended up welding a flange to the cut off shaft so I could use a 5 pound slide hammer on it. After 2 hours with the torch and slide hammer it finally gave up. Cleaned up nice with a barrel brush.