Re: ok one more question
so its ok to drip the oil? this engine sat for 4 years before i cleaned it up. and got it running, do you think it would still be a good idea to put new seals in the lower unit?
If you havent already done so, change the lower unti oil. And I would definately put new seals around the drain screw etc. Without knowing what motor you have it is tough to say what other seals you have. Regardless it needs to be changed at the begining and end of each season. If water drains out first you need new seals.
It shouldnt be leaking lower unit lube into the water. I think the assumption was that the oil you were seeing was unburnt fuel/oil from the exhaust. That would be normal.
PS- you should change the waterpump as well. Rubber doesnt like to sit around. The impeller is probably in bad shape and it could break apart and clog the water tube/passages possible overheating the motor.