Double lip/extended lip seal - which way does it install??

molzeppa · 2026-07-10T15:40:02-0600

I'm replacing the seals in my 1982 60HP Evinrude. There were two seals back to back on the prop shaft. The replacement seal kit comes with a one extended lip seal. The instructions say install with the lip facing out. So which end of this thing is the lip?? The narrow side has a visible spring. The other side has an internal spring.

jimmbo · 2026-07-10T15:51:23-0600

Google's AI showed this
"

1996 Evinrude prop shaft seal installation question : r/boating

When installing a one-piece double-lip seal on your 1982 60hp Evinrude propeller shaft, orientation is key. The solid body (metal side) of the seal must face outward toward the propeller, while the open side (with the spring visible) should face inward toward the gearcase oil. This configuration properly retains oil and blocks water."

alldodge · 2026-07-10T16:11:48-0600

Always install a single or double lip seal with the lip side toward the liquid you want to keep IN. In this case the lip faces toward the gear lube

molzeppa · 2026-07-10T16:40:49-0600

alldodge said:
Always install a single or double lip seal with the lip side toward the liquid you want to keep IN. In this case the lip faces toward the gear lube

But which side is the lip? On a typical seal, the lip is the opposite side of the flat metal. this seal doesn't have a flat side.

molzeppa · 2026-07-10T16:43:54-0600

jimmbo said:
Google's AI showed this
"
View attachment 417734
When installing a one-piece double-lip seal on your 1982 60hp Evinrude propeller shaft, orientation is key. The solid body (metal side) of the seal must face outward toward the propeller, while the open side (with the spring visible) should face inward toward the gearcase oil. This configuration properly retains oil and blocks water."

That makes sense for a normal looking seal. This one has no metal side and has a spring on both sides. ugh!!

alldodge · 2026-07-10T16:51:57-0600

It's designed to keep water out and lube in
Use metal side toward prop so it can be driven in without damaging seal inside

jimmbo · 2026-07-10T16:54:03-0600

The Arrow is Pointing to the Metal Side, at least it would be on a genuine OMC/BRP, even a Sierra Seal.

molzeppa · 2026-07-10T17:10:12-0600

jimmbo said:
The Arrow is Pointing to the Metal Side, at least it would be on a genuine OMC/BRP, even a Sierra Seal.
View attachment 417742

Here's a picture with that side up. it has a groove with a spring inside. If you view the video I posted it shows this thing better.

molzeppa · 2026-07-10T17:12:10-0600

alldodge said:
It's designed to keep water out and lube in
Use metal side toward prop so it can be driven in without damaging seal inside

There's no metal side on this one

jimmbo · 2026-07-10T17:14:47-0600

Just curious, is that a Genuine OMC/BRP part? The part of the Seal, that I had the arrow point to, would be the part that would be installed outward, closest to the Prop, well actually the Thrust Washer.

molzeppa · 2026-07-10T18:10:30-0600

jimmbo said:
Just curious, is that a Genuine OMC/BRP part? The part of the Seal, that I had the arrow point to, would be the part that would be installed outward, closest to the Prop, well actually the Thrust Washer.

Yes, it's a genuine OMC/BRP part number 342887. It came in the seal kit 0396255 from Crowley Marine.

Mc Tool · 2026-07-10T18:44:25-0600

It does have a metal side...it has to , it forms the body of the seal and without it the seal would be a floppy bit of rubber . The "metal side" ( in this instance ....sometimes you can actually see the metal insert ....which would not be good in salt water ).... has a layer of rubber over it . The metal side has the writing and the dot indentations seen in your video. This side faces out . Find a suitable sized socket to fit over the protruding lip seal and bear on that area with the writing and the dots and use said socket to drive seal in to place .
You could treat this seal as a normal seal with an added extension and as such the side with the recess goes in (as jimmbo says in post #2.)
As mentioned elsewhere some installations have two normal seals installed on the shaft with the metal sides facing each other....this seal is in effect a one piece version of those two seals ....and you install it metal side out .

molzeppa · 2026-07-10T19:44:09-0600

Mc Tool said:
It does have a metal side...it has to , it forms the body of the seal and without it the seal would be a floppy bit of rubber . The "metal side" ( in this instance ....sometimes you can actually see the metal insert ....which would not be good in salt water ).... has a layer of rubber over it . The metal side has the writing and the dot indentations seen in your video. This side faces out . Find a suitable sized socket to fit over the protruding lip seal and bear on that area with the writing and the dots and use said socket to drive seal in to place .
You could treat this seal as a normal seal with an added extension and as such the side with the recess goes in (as jimmbo says in post #2.)
As mentioned elsewhere some installations have two normal seals installed on the shaft with the metal sides facing each other....this seal is in effect a one piece version of those two seals ....and you install it metal side out .

OK, it makes sense that the metal side is where the writing is. And I like it oriented the way a normal seal would be - just has the extra extension to partially act as the outer seal would have. Thanks!!!

racerone · 2026-07-10T20:10:22-0600

The spring that is visible in post #1 faces the prop.----Simple as that.

Mc Tool · 2026-07-10T20:24:01-0600

Yeah , if it was the 1st time you'd seen such a seal you may well wonder which way is best .
The only places I have seen such a seal is on an outboard prop shaft and a washing machine gearbox seal , Im sure there are other places where you have a different liquid on each side of a seal ....just cant think of another one at the moment

molzeppa · 2026-07-11T10:19:55-0600

racerone said:
The spring that is visible in post #1 faces the prop.----Simple as that.

I like simple

racerone · 2026-07-11T10:33:30-0600

Myself I prefer using the original 2 seals back to back.-----This newer seal and installation is detailed / shown in many parts diagrams.----Say for a 2000 mode 50 HP 2 stroke.

molzeppa · 2026-07-11T11:24:59-0600

racerone said:
Myself I prefer using the original 2 seals back to back.-----This newer seal and installation is detailed / shown in many parts diagrams.----Say for a 2000 mode 50 HP 2 stroke.

Yeah, two seems much better. I had trouble sourcing them with my time constraints!

Mc Tool · 2026-07-11T15:05:53-0600

molzeppa said:
Yeah, two seems much better. I had trouble sourcing them with my time constraints!

If you want normal type seals you can get them at any place that sells bearings and other engineering stuff . They are a standard size . Same for most seals on most things....and they are usually cheaper.

molzeppa · 2026-07-11T15:26:00-0600

Mc Tool said:
If you want normal type seals you can get them at any place that sells bearings and other engineering stuff . They are a standard size . Same for most seals on most things....and they are usually cheaper.

Good to know!

Double lip/extended lip seal - which way does it install??

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