pressure testing outdrive water ways(alpha)

[toolsinbox]

I have read some great sugestions to pressure test the outdrive gear case and I have no problem understanding that in addition I have all the components to do it so that is underway, but how do I insure the water impeller housing and stuff wont leak into the gearcase?
I put mine together, The lower with the upper and it went together fine. The water tubes just slide together and I cant understand how they keep a seal. Especially under pressure. Does one of the tubes bottom out into a seal of some kind? I see a sleave type of seal for one of the tubes but that wont take much pressure to cause a leak.
I just want to make sure this outdrive is solid before I bolt it up. Any and all help is great
thanks

 

[jtybt]

Re: pressure testing outdrive water ways(alpha)

The water tube sticking up from the pump is passing thru the exhaust section of the lower case. If it leaks a little water, so what. The exhaust is mixing with the raw water right past the riser on the manifold anyway.


And vacuum is ten times more important than pressure. A little gear oil leaking out don't hurt anyone the the eco people. Water getting into the drive, on the other hand, can destroy your drive.

You don't need much vacuum to test. I forgot the numbers but maybe 7-10 "/hg should be more than enuff.

If you have a drive reservoir, you have to block off the reservoir to test...but basically the reservoir adds a little pressure(by weight) to hold water out. The critical part is that the vent of the reservoir is open...even drill the hole larger.

 

[toolsinbox]

Re: pressure testing outdrive water ways(alpha)

Thanks for that info.
I dont have resevoir. So as I understand i should not be worried about the water leaking from the impeller housing as long as all o rings and gaskets are replaced and new impeller etc. I need to make sure no water gets into the gear case from the lake.

 

[jtybt]

Re: pressure testing outdrive water ways(alpha)

Ayuh! ...As long as you replaced with new seals and impeller and housing, you should be good to go.