402 lower unit not going on easily

[kbomb]

I have a 1972 Merc 40hp (402).

I am putting the lower unit back on and it goes on easy as pie until the last 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. There is some rubbery feeling resistance. I don't want to just tighten up the nuts and ruin something. Any idea's what is not inline?

Thanks! Scott

 

[kingsnakejr]

Re: 402 lower unit not going on easily

Sounds like you don't have the water tube aligned with the upper or lower grommet. If the copper water tube comes down with the lower unit during removal, remove it from the grommet on the water pump and insert it up into the intermediate housing making sure it seats with the grommet under the power head. There should be an alignment hole that the tube goes into.Now, obviously you can't see the grommet under the power head but you can feel it when it seats together with the water tube. You can even blow a little air in the water tube or the pee hole to make sure you're there and have a clear passage. As you reinstall the lower unit take a flashlight in one hand and make sure the water tube goes into the grommet on the water pump just as the lower unit mates with the intermediate housing. You should also have one of the bolts and a wrench close by so the lower unit doesn't slide back down while you're trying to hold it and bolt it together.
Hope this helps.
ks