Re: 1966 Johnson Seahorse 60HP (VXL-12R) Lower Unit Assembly
Water doesn't hurt the motor when it gets into that area. That's why there are drain holes all around the mid-section of the motor--so that the water that is in there can drain out after use. If you look up into the exhaust outlet, you can see directly up into the mid-section area just above the lower unit. It is completely open to the water. The lower unit that contains the gears, shafts, etc. is a sealed unit and water won't get into it if the lower unit seals are in good shape. The extension gaskets have nothing to do with sealing the lower unit. One gasket is enough at the extension, though I've always wondered why there should be any gaskets there at all.