1983 Mercruiser Sterndrive - R

[Iroc-Sea]

thanks guys I think you nailed it.

When I pulled the lower, there was an O-ring remaining in the upper’s drive shaft seal and actually, it was in bad shape (pic below).

Think that O-ring was screwing with the seal? The shaft does have the groove and my rebuild kit came with the o-ring. Leave it off I guess?

thanks!

 

[nola mike]

Leave it off. Only other thing is to check the lower seal in the cavity. The drive will pressure test fine without it. If you're not in a hurry to get the part it's probably worth replacing.

 

[Iroc-Sea]

No rush, rather get it together without any issues. Did you mean the gasket below the the water packet or that black plastic seal in the bottom of the shaft passage (in upper)? Thanks.

 

[achris]

No rush, rather get it together without any issues. Did you mean the gasket below the the water packet or that black plastic seal in the bottom of the shaft passage (in upper)? Thanks.

Seal in the bottom of the shaft passage.. I replace those on every service. With the drive off, real easy to flick them out with a screwdriver. Pretty sure I did one on a video I did on servicing an alpha drive...

 

[Iroc-Sea]

Great! Thanks.
Any idea what the part number is? Searching online but not having too much luck. Is this it 26-89238

 

[achris]

...Any idea what the part number is? Searching online but not having too much luck. Is this it 26-89238

The original part number was 26-96503, which supersedes to 26-965031.

Chris.......

 

[Iroc-Sea]

Chris - I cannot thank you enough!

Replaced the seal (old one was shot), finished replacing the impeller and water pump base, put it all back together and it held 15 psi for over an hour. Hopefully that’s the end of the water leak!