Water pump carrier dilemma (2006 optimax 200)

[robby t]

Rebuilding water pump on 2006 Optimax 200 (SN 1B263291) for the first time. I was expecting (and had bought) a kit with a 807929A1 carrier assembly (picture attached) because that is what the engine diagram showed for my serial number. When I took the engine apart, it actually had a 840836A2 seal carrier (picture attached). The 840... model has two bolts that hold it in place. The 807... model is just a pressure fit. Is the 807... model a newer replacement for the 840... model? Both seem to be available. What to do? Use the new 807929A1 I bought? Order a 840836A2 to match what is now in the engine? Just reuse the old one? Thanks for any advice.

 

[robby t]

I think I have it figured out. The lower unit on my Optimax 200 is actually from a Mercury Race 225, which uses the 840836A2 that is on my engine. I am ordering a new one and discarding the 807929A1 that I originally bought (because it is what is on a stock Optimax 200). I bought my boat/engine used so don't know the history as to why this happened, but at least the engine has run great for the 7 years I have had it so I didn't get gyped.

 

[Chris1956]

Likely the lower unit on the Optimax went bad, and was replaced with one that was lying around.

I swapped out the gearcase on my '93 Merc 135, with an '88 Merc 150 to get the shaft length I wanted. I had to use a midsection stud from a '73 Merc 850 as the final stud to make the switch.