Does leg need a gasket or seal?

[northernmerc]

This is on the Johnson 30. It is the type where to remove the lower part of the leg one removes four bolts and and a nut. There is presently no gasket to seal the surfaces at that joint.

Is it normal not to have a gasket or seal at that point? Without a gasket, won't water seep into the cavity inside the leg above the water pump and be trapped there?

 

[wideide]

Re: Does leg need a gasket or seal?

no it doesnt need a gasket water is in there allredy the exoghst blows it out threw the prop. i was told they tried a gasket there but the bolts would come loose and it would fall off