58 SuperSeaHorse Shift Seal Replacement

[Wildthing1]

Anyone know how to replace the shift seal on a '58 35hp Johnson SuperSeaHorse?
I've read most of the threads on this subject.
Upon inspection of my lower unit:
1. There appears to be a brass? bearing (press fit) from the bottom.
2. There does not appear to be a avenue to press it through the LU casting.

The method proposed by this thread doesn't seem to work in this case (because of the casting not being made for the bearing to pass through):
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=277190

I am a little timid to mess with it because I just got through chiseling out the prop shaft bearing in a dozen or so pieces (nerve wracking if you've never done it before).

Anyone know how to remove this bearing/seal?

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 58 SuperSeaHorse Shift Seal Replacement

Hi Wildthing,
Method is the same - you just come at it from the other side. It's still just press-fitted in there...
- Scott

 

[Wildthing1]

Re: 58 SuperSeaHorse Shift Seal Replacement

I still don't understand. The inner diameter of the brass is the same as the inner diameter of the casting...that leaves no way to push against the brass bushing...

I *think* I see a seam between the casting and the brass bushing. is there a special tool that can go into the 1/4" hole and get on the ledge... a nail with a large head maybe?

 

[F_R]

Re: 58 SuperSeaHorse Shift Seal Replacement

I happen to make the special tools. The hole in the case is larger than the hole in the bushing. But not much larger. And the pilot diameter of mine is large enough that the tool doesn't mess up the hole in the bushing. Unfortunatly, I am not allowed to sell them here.

 

[Wildthing1]

Re: 58 SuperSeaHorse Shift Seal Replacement

Tapping the bushing seems do-able...I just need to figure out how to tap with a 8" extension...
the absolute easyist way to remove the seal is use a 5/16-18 tap and tap the bushing about 1/2 way down or so. it is soft enough that no drilling is required. then thred in an old bolt and drive it out with the punch.

Is this a workable solution? (ie will I ruin anything doing this?)

The only other idea I have come up with is putting a nail in from the top and trying to slip the head of the nail between the brass bushing and the case. Maybe then able to apply pressure to the tip of the nail...

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 58 SuperSeaHorse Shift Seal Replacement

I have used both an improvised tool (made from a 1/4-inch bolt with the head ground down to clearance the casting) and the tapping method. Both work...
- Scott

 

[F_R]

Re: 58 SuperSeaHorse Shift Seal Replacement

Tapping the bushing seems do-able...I just need to figure out how to tap with a 8" extension...
the absolute easyist way to remove the seal is use a 5/16-18 tap and tap the bushing about 1/2 way down or so. it is soft enough that no drilling is required. then thred in an old bolt and drive it out with the punch.

Is this a workable solution? (ie will I ruin anything doing this?)

The only other idea I have come up with is putting a nail in from the top and trying to slip the head of the nail between the brass bushing and the case. Maybe then able to apply pressure to the tip of the nail...

Actually, the absolute easiest way is to use the special tool. Stick it in the hole and give it a couple of taps and you are done. Elapsed time: about 10 seconds.

Threading the bushing is a workable way also. Just limit the threads to two or three threads. That is the cheapest way if you already have a 5/16" tap. Use a 1/4" drive socket extension to reach it. If you don't have the tap and extension, you have lost the cheapest advantage.

Making your own tool is the other cheap way. And takes the longest. I could tell you the proper dimensions, but you can find them out by buying the tool. I give away free advice, not merchandise. To do it to proper dimensions requires a lathe. There goes the cheap advantage again.

Or, just use whatever you find laying around and bash it out.

More than one way to skin a cat, as they say.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 58 SuperSeaHorse Shift Seal Replacement

Yea, I have found that the larger diameter of the removal tool may be only about .060 larger than the diameter of the art that goes through the brass bushing. I have removed and replaced several of these myself.

Leon