Chrysler 45 hp year and parts availability?

[Per]

Hi everybody!<br />I'm about to help a friend to change the impeller and to fix the leaking LU of his old Chrysler.<br />It is probably manufactured in the late 60's or early 70's but most internet based shops only list parts for -74 and later<br />Could you please help me with the year of this engine?<br />Model # is 45631 <br />Serial # is 1220-1230 (can't rember exactly, i'll get back with that if it really important)<br />The LU is of the pointed type if that might help...<br /><br />I have been looking at some parts breakdowns and it seems to me that most 35-45 hp Chrysler engines have most LU parts in common. Could i get away with just ordering the needed parts for lets say a -74?<br /><br />Regards,<br />Per

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Chrysler 45 hp year and parts availability?

Motor is 1966. Very littlc changes were made to the lower units from 66 to 84. Seal kits are still availible. Generic kit part number is 18-2636 and cost about 15 dollars US. The lower unit is two piece and the gasket between the two is not provided in the kit. You can make a new one with gasket paper and non hardening permatex. <br /><br />I have had two lower units for my chrysler and found it damn near impossible to competely seal them. Slight wear on the prop shaft and drive shaft where they come in contact with the seals because of the age have made it tough to get a good seal. Also removing the seal from the bearing carrier is a real bear. Good luck.

 

[Per]

Re: Chrysler 45 hp year and parts availability?

Thanks Eurolarva!<br />I will order a kit right away and take care of it now during the cold month.<br />This info also help us pinpoint the exact age of the boat since the engine was delivered new with it.<br />With a little TLC this combo (boat / engine) will give the owner many years of happy boating.<br />Worth mentioning is that this engine always have been starting at the first touch of the key and that it only been repaired once during the 15 years I've known my friend<br />(The repair was due to a coil coming loose uunder the flyweel)<br />And I've been told the chisslers are crap, guess they built some engines to last...

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Chrysler 45 hp year and parts availability?

I dont agree with the chrysler being crap thing. Mine is 38 years old and it runs better then a lot that I see at the landing. A service manual would be of great help to you if you plan on taking the entire lower unit apart. If you only do the drive shaft seal and the prop shaft seal it is pretty straight forward. If you take it completely apart it is good to have the parts breakdown so you know what goes where. Good Luck

 

[Per]

Re: Chrysler 45 hp year and parts availability?

We don't plan to take it all apart unless needed.<br />If we decide to, we will get a service manual, I know that it is indeed needed when working on some of the more complicated stuff!<br />Looking at the parts breakdowns it seems possible to change all sealings but one (the split joint) without actually splitting the LU, is this right?<br />Don't get me wrong, I do agree with you about the quality of chryslers, they don't deserve their bad reputation.<br /><br />Thanks again!

 

[TimMattson]

Re: Chrysler 45 hp year and parts availability?

Per ,<br /> I work for a former Chrysler Dealer who still backs them.We have parts and parts motors to scavange when needed.The carbs are pretty easy to rebuild and dial in.Compressed air and solvant will clean them up and will make it idle really smooth.Sync + link is very important!<br /> TM<br /> Sorensen Marine in Seattle 206 767 4622

 

[Per]

Re: Chrysler 45 hp year and parts availability?

Tim,<br />I might give you a call when the time comes to do the sync & link<br />The engine cough and sneezes a bit on idle and I guess sync & link could do the trick.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Chrysler 45 hp year and parts availability?

Your chrysler only has one carb so link and sync is not necessary. If you need better parts diagrams let me know and I will send you some information. My email is ralgoetz@comcast.net. The split you mentioned is not in the seal kit anyway so if you do have to take it apart you will have to make that gasket out of gasket material. I think you need to take the whole thing apart to do the shift linkage seal.<br /><br />One way to test for where a leak is coming from is to drain lower unit. Remove the vent plug (upper plug) and insert an adapter which will allow you to put compressed air into it (dont use more then about 5 psi). I drilled out a bolt and put a basketball needle in it and then used RTV to seal it. Then used a basketball pump to add air to the unit. Totally submerge the unit and put air in it and watch for air bubbles.

 

[Per]

Re: Chrysler 45 hp year and parts availability?

OK, good info about the split!<br />I'll try to do a pressure test like you described and hold my fingers crossed that it's not the split or the shift linkage seal that is causing the leak.<br />I haven't checked the LU myself yet but according to the owner the oil have a milky appearance when he's draining it. <br />Everything actually started when we took our boats out for the last time this fall, I noticed that he had a very poor stream out of the cooling water outlet and suggested that he probably needed to change the impeller. He told me that he had never done that and neither had the former owner. That impeller might be 15 years old if I'm not mistaken!<br />We had spoken about the leaking LU earlier and i suggested that we fixed it at the same time.<br /><br />Thanks for the kind offer on the parts diagram, I might get back to you when we do the job.<br />The shipping of the parts usually takes a couple of weeks (Sweden is qiute far from US you know)and I don't plan to take anything apart before I have the parts.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Chrysler 45 hp year and parts availability?

Chryslers dont put much of a stream out but I would still do the impeller. Either the 6 blade or the 12 blade will work. If oil is only milky white and no water is present you may not be able to get it any better. When you remove the drive shaft from the water pump housing feel the drive shaft where it comes in contact with the drive shaft seal. If it is slightly burred you may never get a good seal. The bearing cage is a pain to get off as well without a harmonic balancer. When and if you get that off check the prop shaft where it comes in contact with the bearing cage seal. Also a common wear spot which can cause slight water problems. Pressure test might not reveal these leaks because they only show up with both shafts spinning at higher RPMs. Hopefully it is just a drain or vent gasket that is bad. I have been running mine with a slight leak now for two years. I keep an eye on the oil and have switched to high performance lower unit oil which seems slighty thicker and I dont seem to have as much water problems with it. Just email me if you need any photos or documentation.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Chrysler 45 hp year and parts availability?

I have a couple 45 55 lower units out back that are going to the scrap heap if someone wants them. I wont do much in the way of shipping but I have a friend that runs a UPS shipping place.<br /> on of the 55 motors is partially complete.<br /> I also have some 105 parts hanging about.

 

[byacey]

Re: Chrysler 45 hp year and parts availability?

What year are those lower ends you have rodbolt? I am looking for a 1965 45HP lower end.

 

[Per]

Re: Chrysler 45 hp year and parts availability?

I'll try to wake this old thread up!<br /><br />Now we have finally removed the L/U and i must say that it was a lot easier than you would expect on a 40 years old engine.<br />The impeller looked surprisingly good considering that it must have been in there for 15 years. <br />(A ten blade impeller by the way)<br />Never the less it will be changed when we are working on it anyway. now for my question, is there anything else that could cause a very poor stream of water through the water exit hole?<br />I've read horror (to me at least) stories about some plate near the axhaust corroding away and causing a leak...<br />Could a bad thermostat cause these symptoms?<br />according to parts breakdowns it should have a thermostat. The screws holding the cover show no signs of ever being removed, and therefore I guess it have never been checked/replaced!?<br />The water intake screen is fine and so is the water pipe. <br />We are reluctant to remove covers if possible since snapping a bolt is never fun.<br />Is there any good way of checking the cooling system for blockage or leaks without tearing the rest of the engine apart?<br /><br />thanks for all help so far!

 

[byacey]

Re: Chrysler 45 hp year and parts availability?

As mentioned, these motors don't shoot out a high pressure stream of water, if the motor isn't running too hot and the impeller is good (replaced) I wouldn't look for a problem that may not be there.<br /><br />Rodbolt are you around here somewhere? I wanted to see what you had for lower units. You can contact me at byacey at interbaun dot com.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Chrysler 45 hp year and parts availability?

The water output will be a dribble. There is a six blade impeller that I feel works better then the 10 blade. However I cant remember the number for it. If you are at idle or slow forward you will see some water coming out the telltale you should be fine. When reinstalling a new impeller place a little dish soap inside the water pump. Put the impeller on the impeller key, lower the water pump till it touches the impeller then slowly turn the driveshaft clockwise while putting a good amount of force down on the impeller. This will make sure the impeller vanes are the right direction when the motor is running and give it a pre lube before it starts pumping water.<br /><br />I replaced my thermostat two years ago and it was probably the first time it was done in 37 years. The parts are still availible. If you choose to do it you will want to get a thermostat, a new grommet and a new washer. You are correct in worrying about busting one of them screws. I did however got lucky and was able to get it out with a plyers when the cover was off.<br /><br />Only other concern for loss of water is where the water tube connects with the power head. There should be a grommet up there. You should be able to insert the tube through the motor leg and into the grommet and it should hold it in place without the lower unit attached. If so you should have a good seal to the powerhead.

 

[Per]

Re: Chrysler 45 hp year and parts availability?

I think I will grind the heads off the screws for the Thermostat housing, that will give me a good chance getting heat and penetrating oil to them.<br />The pipe seems to stay in place so I guess thats OK then!<br />Thanks for the tip about the impeller.<br /><br />Upon closer inspection of the bearing carrier I found that the bosses with holes for the puller were thorn right off! I don't think I will atempt to remove it and possibly ruin a L/U that is not even mine.<br />Is it possible to remove the prop shaft sealing without removing the bearing carrier?<br />(I know it could be done on other L/U but in those cases there are usally two separate sealings and acc to parts breakdowns this look like a one piece design.)<br />Even though I haven't pressure tested it I feel that it should be changed as it has quite big cracks in it.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Chrysler 45 hp year and parts availability?

No. There is a nut down by the propeller shaft that has to be removed to separate the upper and lower parts to the lower unit. I have been able to get the carrier off without a puller or harmonic balancer. Remove the two screws holding the carrier onto the lower unit. have one person hold the unit steady while you turn it 90 degrees. If you can turn it 90 you can get your fingers under it and work it out.