Changing the water pump - worth the learning experience or not ??????????

[reddog349]

I have a 1977 70 hp evinrude (seller claims 2 year old rebuilt) that I just purchased 2 weeks ago.I was wondering if I should try (if I dare) to replace the water pump myself with a little online info or not?<br /> I am not a "gearhead " or anything but thumbs to a motor so I was wondering is this a good idea to try or not? <br />The most I do on my truck is plugs , fuel pump , oil , etc so im no shadytree machanic.

 

[E120B]

Re: Changing the water pump - worth the learning experience or not ??????????

hey ....<br /> i'd buy the manual to this motor than have at it, it not that hard jsut take your time

 

[phil.leblanc]

Re: Changing the water pump - worth the learning experience or not ??????????

Hi there. replacing a water pump also means replacing seals. That seal kit will cost you more than the water pump I bet. There is a fair amount of work involved, especially if you have not done too much machanical work before. If it got done 2 years ago just change the gear oil and you should be fine. If the old oil is milky white in color then you need to replace the seals so go ahead, get the repair manual read up and good luck.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Changing the water pump - worth the learning experience or not ??????????

hey, phil. what you smoking?<br /><br />what seals?<br /><br />you dont need to replace ANY seals on that motor when you do the waterpump!<br /><br />i have a 1977 70hp johnson. no seals here, buddy!

 

[phil.leblanc]

Re: Changing the water pump - worth the learning experience or not ??????????

Oops, screwed up my posts. thought I was answering the guy with the older 40 hp. Never mind my previous post.

 

[reddog349]

Re: Changing the water pump - worth the learning experience or not ??????????

So whats involved in replacing the water pump???????????????????It is currently working but ive always heard its safer to replace.<br />Whats the cost ?

 

[Timbit]

Re: Changing the water pump - worth the learning experience or not ??????????

I changed the waterpump in my '59 35hp it was pretty easy and cheap $30 CDN. But get a manual before you go ripping into it. If you don't want to buy the manual, you may be able to get it from your local library. It was a great learning experiance for me. hopefully for you too! Let us know what happens

 

[fireman57]

Re: Changing the water pump - worth the learning experience or not ??????????

Do a quick search at the top of the page on the subject. You will find out exactly what is involved. It's not that tough and you will get the satisfaction of saving $70/hr shop labor. What is the worst that can happen? You can't finish the job and the dealer has to do it anyway?

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Changing the water pump - worth the learning experience or not ??????????

For what it's worth, and it's a different situation than yours, but...<br /><br />Without any prior experience and very little mechanical experience or know how, I changed the waterpump impeller on a little merc. kicker, using a service manual. The hardest part - BY FAR - was getting the key in place (the key that holds the impeller to the drive shaft). For others the hardest part could be removing the lower unit, if it is corroded.<br /><br />Get a factory service manual, or at the very least a Seloc or Clymers. Read the section on the water pump and removing/replacing the lower unit and decide if you understand it. It's really not hard and the parts are going to be in the range of $10 probably.

 

[herters]

Re: Changing the water pump - worth the learning experience or not ??????????

Go for it.

 

[strat150hp]

Re: Changing the water pump - worth the learning experience or not ??????????

I just changed the water pump on my 89 johnson 150. The hardest part was disconecting and reconecting the shift lever. I don't know if you <br />have to do it on your motor, but if it's anything like mine you might have a hard time. Other then that part it wasn't to bad.

 

[imstillatwork]

Re: Changing the water pump - worth the learning experience or not ??????????

I took a few pic of when I changed mine here: <br /><br /> http://www.lot-o-nothin.com/lotonothin/article.cfm?id=1 <br /><br />Its a 1981, very similar.

 

[billaranguren@yahoo.com]

Re: Changing the water pump - worth the learning experience or not ??????????

Beware of breaking the bolts holding the water pump impeller housing.

 

[flexon_guy]

Re: Changing the water pump - worth the learning experience or not ??????????

Buy Manual - walk thru repair by reading the step to step directions looking at the many pictures that your factory manual has for your specific motor - If you get stuck post here for help - These guys are great at helping.<br /><br />You will be happy that you did.<br /><br />Good Luck<br /><br />MIke<br /><br />------------------------------------------<br /><br />Knowledge is Power!

 

[ratdogs]

Re: Changing the water pump - worth the learning experience or not ??????????

I too am a new boat owner and trying to change a waterpump. I have a johnson 140HP and I can not locate the clip to release the shift rod, can you help?

 

[jason389]

Re: Changing the water pump - worth the learning experience or not ??????????

I just did the water pump on my 82 Evinrude 70, not a bad job. Took about 2 hours. I bout the pump from iboats, I think it was about $50. There are a couple of hidden bolts on the foot, one by the trim tab. Make sure you release the shift rod pin, directly under the carbs in the center of the motor (actually mine had a screw, not a pin.) Also, make sure that you pay attention to how the old impeller comes off (direction) and put the new one back on the same way. a little 3 in 1 oil will help the process. You definitely want to have a buddy help you to pull the foot off and then when lining the driveshaft back up. <br />Happy taking stuff apart!<br />-Jason

 

[jason389]

Re: Changing the water pump - worth the learning experience or not ??????????

ratdog, as I sai the release on my 70 is in the center of the motor, just under and behind the carbs.

 

[imstillatwork]

Re: Changing the water pump - worth the learning experience or not ??????????

directly under the carbs, mine too....