1996 Force 120 Water Pump Replacement Question

[dneedham]

I have searched high and low for the answer to this question, but no luck.

Issue: I just replaced the water pump for my 1996 Force 120 outboard using the Mercury Water Pump Repair Kit Part # 43024A7. It has a lot in it. All of the gaskets, new water pump housing etc. The process was straightforward and took about 2 hours front to back. I used all of the parts in the kit. I followed the procedure that is in the Force 120 Service Manual. After re-assembly, I tested it on muffs and works fine. Water comes out of the pee hole etc.

Question: I have noticed that the Mercury lower units have a seal/sleeve that goes down the drive shaft and seats on top of the water pump assembly. My motor didn't have one installed and it wasn't included in the kit. I can find it from Mercury. It is part # 42461A1, described as Sleeve / Ring Kit. The Force manual does not show it in any diagram or describe removing or installing it. Is this something I need? Did it stay in the leg and maybe I didn't see it? Any help would be most appreciated.

 

[dneedham]

Looking closer into this, I don't think part # 42461A1 is what I thought it was. Looking at the diagram on the Crawley Marine website really looks like that part # is actually below the water pump. I think in my diagram in the Force manual it is part #11 in the diagram from section 6-28. So the question still stands, I've seen in some youtube videos that there is seal on top of the water pump housing that slides down the shaft and sits on top of it. If it is needed, maybe I could just use an o-ring of the correct size?

 

[Mo1]

Here's how my spline seal looked when I did my force 50

 

[jerryjerry05]

Mo that's not the seal he's talking about.
The rubber you removed looks like only part of the spline cover????
It should be about 1-2in. long?
​deneedham: You need to post pics of the top of your pump.
IF?? You have a seal built into the top of your pump you won't need the rubber ring seal.

PICS??

 

[dneedham]

I will get some pictures posted. Will probably be tonight, but I will see what I can do!

 

[Mo1]

My mistake

 

[dneedham]

Here are some pictures of the water pump housing and how it is sits on the drive shaft. I have also included a picture looking up into the leg and the parts diagram picture from the Force Service Manual. I think maybe it is okay. There wasn't any kind of seal when I took the lower unit off, and the parts diagram doesn't show any part # for a seal to go on top of the water pump housing.