Water pump not pumping! Please help I want to go fishing!

[buckeye_paul]

I have a 1970 Johnson 85 HP. Model # 85ESL70B. This will be the third time I have taken the lower unit off and just can't seem to get it right.
On the first two attempts when I used muffs I got flow after the t-stats open. I felt warm water from my tell tale, the ports on the back, and from the bottom vents. The cylinders stayed cool enough to keep my open palm on them. However, when I put it in a tank there was no flow anywhere and the cylinders got hot so I shut it down.
Both times I took it apart I removed all old gasket sealer, cleaned all parts, replaced impeller with a new one, sealed properly, and re-installed. I have a Seloc manual for this type of motor so I'm confident the assembly is correct.
The tubes going up into the upper unit seem to be okay. Can someone explain to me the direction of flow with this system and why there are two tubes exiting the pump housing?
I'm not a nitwit. This problem really has me stumped.

Thanks, Paul

 

[bernd64]

Re: Water pump not pumping! Please help I want to go fishing!

impeller is not in the wrong way?
thermostats a ok?
water inlet tubes a in the gromets?
just some tips to look for

 

[Daviet]

Re: Water pump not pumping! Please help I want to go fishing!

Water pressure when running on muffs will overcome the water pump and cool the engine even if you didn't have an impeller in the pump. How deep was the water in the barrel, the pump will not suck water, the water lever has to be above the pump when running in a barrel.

 

[buckeye_paul]

Re: Water pump not pumping! Please help I want to go fishing!

Daviet -- I guess I am a nitwit. It makes sense that the pump needs water in it to prime and start pumping. The tub I was using was just deep enough to cover the intakes not deep enough to fill the pump. A friend had problems with his motor and suggested I make sure my pump was working by putting it in a tub. I've never had any problems before. Wasted a beautiful Saturday screwing around with this. I guess while I'm out on the lake, the force of the water going by forces the water up to the pump when I'm on plane and the cav plate is visible. Do you have any idea what the actual circulation is of this particular system (two tubes)? Thank you very much for your help.