Water pump base installation question -more questions

muskrat808

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 24, 2011
Messages
106
Help ! I'm replacing the water pump in a 1972 140 hp mercruiser . Was a pain to remove the water pump base and now I cant get the new base to seat down all the way . Should it seat down easily ? Will it seat down when tightening down the upper housing ? Also , should the bearing on the drive shaft right below the water pump base be regreased ? There is no mention of doing that in the Seloc ( yeah I know ) manual . Thanks Ok - I got the correct part but still cannot get it to seat all the way down .Grease on the rubber , pushing hard ,tapping with mallet -no go .Even tried putting the old base in and that won't go back either . It took a lot to get the old base out so I assume it would take a lot to put new one in . I'm about ready to bite the bullet and take to a service dealer and have them install it-helping defeat my original money saving DIY approach . Also looks like getting the new impeller into the housing may be fun too -any comments ? Any help will be appreciated . Thanks
 
Last edited:

Pete104

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 30, 2011
Messages
1,439
Re: Water pump base installation question

Re: Water pump base installation question

Yes, it should seat with some effort. The o-ring you chose maybe is to big. Or, you are trying to use the wrong base. Set both old and new side by side, upside down. Are they the same?
No grease at the bearing. It's in an oil bath. Will do fine when you fill properly!
 

cr2k

Captain
Joined
Mar 19, 2009
Messages
3,730
Re: Water pump base installation question

Re: Water pump base installation question

Use some gasket sealing compound on the o-ring it will help it seat easier and ensure a good seal. It does take some effort to get it in place.
 

dubs283

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Messages
5,333
Re: Water pump base installation question

Re: Water pump base installation question

first off, be sure you have the correct base assy

there are two options, you need the older style one, hopefully you ordered the correct one

use the proper size o-ring and coat with gasket sealer, and apply grease to the seal lips. press firmly to seat it, don't forget to properly clean all sealing surfaces on the drive assy and sealer on the base gasket as well

as stated in post #2, set old and new side by side and ensure the bottom portion of the base assy is the same "height"
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Water pump base installation question

Re: Water pump base installation question

If you bought a white aftermarket pump base, check the oring groove for depth all the way around. I have run into a couple that the groove was too shallow on one side and too deep on the other. No way can that base be pushed into place.

Here is something to replace that seloc manual with. http://www.4shared.com/document/ozc1_97A/Service_Manual_01.html
 

muskrat808

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 24, 2011
Messages
106
Re: Water pump base installation question

Re: Water pump base installation question

Thanks guys . It was an OEM part but the WRONG OEM part . Hopefully the correct one will go in easier .
 

artificialreef

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 21, 2009
Messages
504
Re: Water pump base installation question

Re: Water pump base installation question

You would do well with a pressure test before you go back on also.
 

muskrat808

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 24, 2011
Messages
106
Re: Water pump base installation question

Re: Water pump base installation question

Hi- Please more info on the pressure test . I'm unfamiliar with that . Thanks
 

Pete104

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 30, 2011
Messages
1,439
Re: Water pump base installation question

Re: Water pump base installation question

Read the link Don sent you!
 
Top