Re: Water problem!!!
Well first you have to remove the powerhead. Lets see, I believe a '55 has a triangular shape muffler on the rear of the exhaust housing. If so, remove it (3 screws). Disconnect the fuel/air hoses and remove the 7 or so screws that hold the powerhead to the exhaust housing. Rock it back and forth a bit to break the gasket loose and lift it off.
You will find a spring loaded carbon seal at the top of the drive shaft. Remove it and keep track how it all goes together. You will also find two nuts with a lockwasher in between which connect the shift rod to the shifter shaft. Remove the nuts.
Now, moving to the lower unit, remove the 4 bolts that hold it to the exhaust housing. Twist it back and forth a bit while pulling downward. It should come right off, and the water pump will be looking right at you, where the drive shaft disappears into the unit.
Remove the pump housing, 4 screws and lift it off. You will see the rubber impeller. A new impeller may be all you need, but if the aluminum housing is worn you need a complete water pump repair kit. I believe the new ones are a bit different design, plastic and stainless steel. I recommend a whole new kit at any rate.
Put everything back together the way you found it. Be sure the water tube enters the rubber grommet in the pump housing. Be SURE you get a new powerhead gasket and a new gasket that goes on the carbon seal plate and a new o-ring that goes inside the carbon seal. I can't emphasize that enough!!! If the seal leaks it will destroy the powerhead.
