1963 Merc 1000 L/U rebuild advice

[bh357]

I need some guidance as to how far to carry this rebuild. L/U had water in it, and it appears the shift shaft seal is leaking for sure (unsure about the other seals). I pulled the water pump and it's seals. This exposes the needle bearings for the drive shaft. The motor will get a new water pump impeller and shift and drive shaft (water pump) seals. Should I go ahead and replace the prop shaft seals also, or should I do the drive and shift shaft seals then pressure test? I looked on Mercury Parts Express, and they still carry the shift shaft bushing special tool. I wasn't able to locate any of the other lower unit special tools.<br />Should I go ahead and completely disassemble the L/U and clean and inspect everything, improvising and fabricating any special tools I need? Or should I just replace the seals?<br />Also, does anyone have any photos of fabricated special tools they've used, or know where I can get them at reasonable cost?<br />Thanks

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: 1963 Merc 1000 L/U rebuild advice

There is a guy on Ebay (NOT ME!!) that regularly sells aftermarket Mercury "special tools" at real good prices. I got all mine from him.<br /><br />If you're luckey you can dig out the outer proshft seal from the outside (destroying it) and install a new one easily enough.<br /><br />To go any further, it's gotta come apart.<br /><br />-W<br /><br />

Originally posted by bh357:<br />I need some guidance as to how far to carry this rebuild. L/U had water in it, and it appears the shift shaft seal is leaking for sure (unsure about the other seals). I pulled the water pump and it's seals. This exposes the needle bearings for the drive shaft. The motor will get a new water pump impeller and shift and drive shaft (water pump) seals. Should I go ahead and replace the prop shaft seals also, or should I do the drive and shift shaft seals then pressure test? I looked on Mercury Parts Express, and they still carry the shift shaft bushing special tool. I wasn't able to locate any of the other lower unit special tools.<br />Should I go ahead and completely disassemble the L/U and clean and inspect everything, improvising and fabricating any special tools I need? Or should I just replace the seals?<br />Also, does anyone have any photos of fabricated special tools they've used, or know where I can get them at reasonable cost?<br />Thanks