Lower Unit seal kit questions. 58 johnson 35 RDS-20

[Wildthing1]

A couple of questions about the seal kit for my 58 Johnson 35 Super Sea Horse.

I have seal kit 18-2686 from Sierra marine.
http://www.marineengine.com/parts/sierra_marine/sierra00255.htm

1. The 'Clamshell' o-ring seal does not fill the groove (See picture). Is this the wrong one? What is the right one?

2. The 18-2686 kit contains two plastic washers and a paper/packing washer that I cannot figure out where they are used (maybe for other motors? See picture).

3. Does the O ring identified as 'shift seal' in the picture go on the shift rod between the bronze bushing and the casting?

Thanks in advance!

 

[asdasc]

Re: Lower Unit seal kit questions. 58 johnson 35 RDS-20

I can answer some of your questions.

The plastic washers are for the drain and fill screws. The smallest o-ring *I think* goes to the phillips screw holding the shift lever way at the bottom. The bigger o-ring is *I think* the one that goes behind the brass bushing for your shift rod.

Good luck!

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Lower Unit seal kit questions. 58 johnson 35 RDS-20

the spaghetti seal will flatten out when the two halves of the case are screwed together. I use a little sealer to hold it in place while screwing it down.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Lower Unit seal kit questions. 58 johnson 35 RDS-20

the spaghetti seal will flatten out when the two halves of the case are screwed together. I use a little sealer to hold it in place while screwing it down.

I use a lot of sealer to hold it in place! But I agree, it's like it is a smaller diameter than normal and looks like it does not rise up above the hole for it. The pics are quite small though and hard to see... (or am I getting that old?)

 

[Wildthing1]

Re: Lower Unit seal kit questions. 58 johnson 35 RDS-20

the spaghetti seal will flatten out when the two halves of the case are screwed together. I use a little sealer to hold it in place while screwing it down.

The seal doesn't rise above the groove much. Even flattened out it won't come close to filling the groove, is this normal?

ASDAC - The smaller O-ring is the only item in the package that fits around the shift shaft (Everything else is much larger in diameter). Could the flat 'packing' washer (by the two plastic ones) go between the bronze bushing and the case for the shift rod? In this scenario, the bronze bushing itself would be the seal for the shift rod.

I forgot about the seal for the pivot pin on the shifter...I bet the small O-ring does go there...

 

[asdasc]

Re: Lower Unit seal kit questions. 58 johnson 35 RDS-20

I gotta change that screen name, call me Steve!

Anyway, on my 18HP, the shift rod seal was an o-ring, and there was a bigger o-ring that went on the driveshaft. I am not sure about where a fiber washer would go. Perhaps on the 35HP it is a fiber washer on the shift shaft. Someone here will know that motor better.

Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Also, I found that Home Depot sells lengths of teflon small diameter seals in the faucet parts section. You may want to replace that speghetti seal with something larger diameter. Is there a chance the lower unit was replaced with one from a different model year? That would explain why the seals are a little different.

 

[Wildthing1]

Re: Lower Unit seal kit questions. 58 johnson 35 RDS-20

Is there a chance the lower unit was replaced with one from a different model year? That would explain why the seals are a little different.

Thanks for the Home Depot tip, I was just wondering where I could find a length of seal. The seal that was installed completely filled the groove (which makes sense) and I *think* I should replace it with a similar one regardless of what I got in the kit. Sorry about the fuzzy photo...

Not much chance the lower unit was replaced. The motor was on a boat/trailer that was last licensed in 1963. That gives the motor a service life of 1958 to 1963 and is consistent with the amount of mechanical wear (none).

 

[F_R]

Re: Lower Unit seal kit questions. 58 johnson 35 RDS-20

fer gosh sakes, the "spagetti" seal is supposed to be 3/32" diameter. Actually a hair more than 3/32" if you want to get picky. It does not fill the groove and is not supposed to. You are supposed to stick it in the groove against the outer edge and cut the ends off square about 1/16"-3/32" longer than the groove. Add some more sealer and slap it together before it dries. Don't be attempting to fill the groove. Use Scotchgrip #847 sealer.

The shift rod seal is a fat o-ring. There probably is a gasket washer for under the bushing too. Some have an little o-ring on the pivot screw and some have a little gasket washer, so they give you both. The nylon washers are for the drain/fill screws.