paparoof
Senior Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2010
- Messages
- 730
Figured I'd just get the whole question right into the subject line there.
This is my first I/O, so I really don't know - and I'd rather not sink my boat to avoid asking what may be a silly question.
I'm about ready to start reassembling my boat and go drop it in the lake to see if it actually floats and I wanna know if I automatically need to replace the cork gasket that was between the gimbal housing the transom (on the outside).
The boat is a 1975 Starcraft Islander, the motor is the Merc 165 with (what I believe we're referring to) as a "pre-alpha" outdrive. Just in case, here's a thousand word description:
This is the part I'm talking about:
http://mercstuff.com/images/transomgasket1.jpg
The original gasket came off 100% when I disassembled everything, the gasket looks to be in great shape, still flexible, no cracks or holes. But as far as I know, it's 35 years old. The only experience I have with such things is head and valve cover gaskets that you always replace every single time, no matter what. But that's engine stuff. This is just sealing the transom against leaks right? Not the same kind of temperatures or pressures, so as long as the original is in good shape, I should be okay right?
Right?
This is my first I/O, so I really don't know - and I'd rather not sink my boat to avoid asking what may be a silly question.
I'm about ready to start reassembling my boat and go drop it in the lake to see if it actually floats and I wanna know if I automatically need to replace the cork gasket that was between the gimbal housing the transom (on the outside).
The boat is a 1975 Starcraft Islander, the motor is the Merc 165 with (what I believe we're referring to) as a "pre-alpha" outdrive. Just in case, here's a thousand word description:
This is the part I'm talking about:
http://mercstuff.com/images/transomgasket1.jpg
The original gasket came off 100% when I disassembled everything, the gasket looks to be in great shape, still flexible, no cracks or holes. But as far as I know, it's 35 years old. The only experience I have with such things is head and valve cover gaskets that you always replace every single time, no matter what. But that's engine stuff. This is just sealing the transom against leaks right? Not the same kind of temperatures or pressures, so as long as the original is in good shape, I should be okay right?
Right?
