1961 5.5 Fisherman - Lower Unit Reseal

[jeff_smith_0423]

Ok - i've got a 1961 5.5 fisherman that runs like a swiss watch but the lower unit lube had SIGNIFICANT evidence of water intrusion. Drained the gear lube and replaced the compression washers at the fill/vent plugs because they looked a few decades old. I'm going to run the motor this weekend and check again. If there is water in the oil again, I'm contemplating doing the reseal myself.

Anyone attempted this? I have a clymer's manual that makes it look incredibly simple and my 9.5 manual doesn't look too difficult either (both use the same style gearcase with very minor differences).

Anything to look out for? Looks like the entire seal kit is only six or 7 pieces.

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1961 5.5 Fisherman - Lower Unit Reseal

Do a pressure test with the L/U drained and see if it's maybe just the gaskets on the drain and overfill plugs. Hopefully it will be one of those. If not next most likely is the prop seal and the the drive shaft seal. Once pressurized, you can usually hear a hissing at the leaking source, or put a little dish soap on the seals to see which one is leaking. There is also a little seal on the Phillips screw which holds the shift yoke in position. I just had a 5.5hp with that seal leaking. That screw is tricky to remove, as it holds the yoke and once mis-aligned, you have to split the L/U to get it back together. If that's the culprit, lay the motor on it's side and remove the screw. Replace the seal, look in the hole and see if the hole in the yoke is still aligned, and try to put the screw back in. If it's misaligned slightly, a small pick can be used to realign it. If it turns out to be the driveshaft seal or shift rod seal, you have to remove the lower unit to replace those. Unfortunately on that motor, you have to pull the powerhead to release the shift rod, so you can drop the lower unit.

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: 1961 5.5 Fisherman - Lower Unit Reseal

Pulling the powerhead is no big deal to me. I did it when I put the impeller in. It's just seven bolts that are in fact, not stuck. Unfortunately I don't have anything to pressure test it with. I can't imagine that the spaghetti-seal has completely held up all this time.