Re: 73 115 rude water pump
Look up at those water tubes. There is a plastic sleeve on both of them that probably got shoved up the tubes somewhat. Pull them down and off of the tubes.<br /><br />They are to be inserted in the water pump as a guide to help align those *&&%$#^& tubes with the pump.<br /><br />That "O" Ring you mention. If that's the large "O" Ring that seals the housing to the plate, the impeller is no doubt hitting and displacing a portion of it which would cause the pump to drawl air.<br /><br />Install the impeller and pump in this manner. Have the housing in your left hand with a slight bit of grease in the impeller cup area. Now, with your right hand, spin the impeller into that housing in a counter clockwise motion.<br /><br />I always arrange the impeller so that the keyway is facing the starboard side of the lower unit when the housing is lowered into place. Apply a bead of Boat Armor Sealer 1000 (any auto parts store) to that "O" Ring.<br /><br />Now, with the plate and key in place, simply slide the housing and impeller assembly down the driveshaft and into place. This assures you that the "O" Ring is where it belongs.<br /><br />Let us know how you make out.... and if those guides are where I suspect they are.
