gasket question
 

what is this for and do i need to replace the rotted out rubber
before i crank it?
Can i use silicon as a gasket for the cover?
1990 200 johnson
http://i28.tinypic.com/300y64x.jpg
http://i31.tinypic.com/141qz2s.jpg

Thats a rubber mount that holds the motor to the shaft housing coming down in front of it!!
You can start the motor like that but don't go doing any tricks before replacing it!!

As the eye said, lower motor mount. And one EXPENSIVE SOB to! I bought a set last year to the tune of $260 and then I had to buy the mounting bolts. Did you remove the cover for any particuliar reason?

the cover was loosley attached and missing one bolt.

i tried to pry the rubber out..it is securely attached it's not going anywhere
without a lot of effort on my part.

It is a pretty MAJOR job to replace those mounts after years of saltwater use. They don't just come out.

yeah i will leave it in place until i see it's a problem.

I had mine replaced a few years ago and they are a pain to get off. I wouldn't mess with them unless you need to.

just bolt the cover back on those and don't remove again lol this time we'll let ya slide next time we'll beat ya lol.

Rebel I have all the parts for this project, I did mine its not easy , Send me an email when you are ready , I have the mounts and the entire bracket if you need it

Thanks for the offer

I may take you up on that later but i want to put the
cover back on and run it to see if it's ok as is first.
Looks like a blob of non moving rubber maybe it's alright.