Chicken Or The Egg

[degull]

Hi everyone. I stripped down a 68 Evinrude 6hp outboard on the weekend. Took the powerhead and lower unit off. I really didn't have to tear it down but I've never seen the insides of an outboard so I thought why not give it a good cleaning and strip it down. Waiting for replacement seals and gaskets. Impellar looks good, so I'll reuse it.
My question has to do with reassembly. Should I reattach the powerhead first or the lower unit first. It looks like getting the drive shaft seal/spring to line up without the lower unit installed might be hard. I've been pondering this while my parts are on order. By the way, there is a brass linkage that allows reassembly of the shift rod without the removal of the powerhead, so it looks like I can install the powerhead first if I want. Thanks!

 

[JB]

Re: Chicken Or The Egg

Change the impeller, degull. They all "look okay" just before they fail.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Chicken Or The Egg

I've done it both ways on my 5.5 (almost the same) and I think it's easier to put the LU on after... So I'd put the powerhead on first. Those little flimsy gaskets keep shifting and are a real bugger! Even with a dab of grease, so not have the driveshaft there to lineup makes it easier.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Chicken Or The Egg

I don't think the order makes any difference. I'd install the powerhead first.

Since you have it apart, replace the cork gasket and o-ring for the lower crankcase seal. Also, replace the impeller. You've already got it apart. What's another $20 to do it right?

 

[degull]

Re: Chicken Or The Egg

I have the cork seal and o ring for the driveshaft on order along with a few other seals. I guess I'll change the impeller as well on everyones recommendations. So powerhead first it is. Thanks guys.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Chicken Or The Egg

powerhead first, and impeller, good insurance, why screw up a good motor over $20.00.

 

[F_R]

Re: Chicken Or The Egg

Well, there is the way others would do it and the way I would do it. No hesitation about it, I surely would install the lower unit first. That way you know the carbon seal assy is OK. Whenever I reinstall just the lower unit I always wonder if the seal went together correctly. Personally, I wish they had left it the way it was when you had to remove the powerhead to undo the shift rod. That way you Knew!

 

[degull]

Re: Chicken Or The Egg

That way you know the carbon seal assy is OK. Whenever I reinstall just the lower unit I always wonder if the seal went together correctly.

The carbon seal you are refering to is the driveshaft seal assembly correct? It has a cork gasket, thick steel washer and o-ring. This was my problem originally when I started this post. I thought by installing the lower unit first I can make sure this seal was in place.