Water Pump Rebuilt Project, 1982 7.5HP Model E8RCNR

[Jon Boat Jim]

I'm trying to talk myself into my first project of this sort and I need some words of advice and encouragement. I'm of the "if it ain't broke.... don't fix it" school and the pee stream is currently very strong. However, I do not know when the Water Pump was last replaced.
It seems that a common problem has to do with the removal of the shift rod to get the lower unit to drop. Reading the manual, this model has a shift rod that does not need to be disconnected to drop the lower unit. Is this correct?
What words of advice or caution can you experts give to me before I start this project?

 

[ONERCBOATER]

Re: Water Pump Rebuilt Project, 1982 7.5HP Model E8RCNR

very simply change your water pump impeller, or face the consequences.... they are far more annoying. The shift rod thing is a piece of cake.... simply unbolt the lower, start separating the mid section and lower unit.... move the shift gear lever to the lower position... reach in with large standard screwdriver or small wrench/nut driver unscrew the easier of the two small bolts on the connector... COMPLETELY. finish pulling lower unit off.....

no pain no misery

Sean

 

[merc20076]

Re: Water Pump Rebuilt Project, 1982 7.5HP Model E8RCNR

I am use to work on these O/B JohnnyRudes 4.5 /7.5HP (same L/U) and replacing the water pump impeller is a simple job, much easier then olders OMC's.

Just make sure the impeller key is in place and be sure that the water tube gets in the water pump grommet.

 

[Jon Boat Jim]

Re: Water Pump Rebuilt Project, 1982 7.5HP Model E8RCNR

Thank you merc20076. I can tell by your motor inventory that you have experience with this engine!

 

[Jon Boat Jim]

Re: Water Pump Rebuilt Project, 1982 7.5HP Model E8RCNR

This was a simple task! The gear shift rod is NOT connected to anything. It just pulls out of (and pushes back into) the shifter arm mechanism.
The re-installation took several trys fiddling with the drive shaft alignment and also with the shift arm to get everything lined-up just right.