water pump tube confusion

[landlock]

Hello again and thanks to everyone for all their help.
Am still confuse after taking my lower unit off to install a new impeller.
I do not have a water tube installed the guy i got the boat from obviosly forgot to installed it. He never ran it because he could never get spark.
I solve that by installing new points and plugs. I can see where the tube go into the water pump housing but as far as into the power head I cannot figure that out. My question is every pic that i see has a small tube a few inches long,is this all to this year? or is the tube missing as I suspect?
I used a impact wrench on the housing and end up tearing it up.
I wish I new where i could fine one along with the kit and water tube.
Any info would help. Thanks in advance. Oh! Chrysler 1972- 55hp 559HD

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: water pump tube confusion

Depends upon the model year engine. IF the engine has a 5 inch spacer to make it a long shaft, there is a water tube going up into the block and a short 5 inch tube to extend it. If the engine came as a long shaft midleg with no extension, then the brass water tube will be the full length of the engine leg and will reach right to the grommet on the water pump outlet.

Replacing the tube is a nasty business. It is held just under the block and pressed into a rubber grommet in the lower engine pan casting. Difficult to replace with the engine completely disassembled, very difficult to replace with the engine block removed, and almost impossible with the block mounted.

Sorry!

 

[landlock]

Re: water pump tube confusion

Thanks you very much for your candid asnwer. I thought that I may have bit off a bit too much to swallow when I took on this engine as a project.
I probally shoul part it out and start looking for something that can push my 16' SabreCraft around the lake so Me and my son can drown a worm or two!
Thanks again: