71 Johnson 125 lower unit seal direction

[brickster]

Getting ready to install a hard to find seal kit in electric shift lower unit. Talked to many mechanics about seal direction and got several conflicting answers. Service manual says back to back in prop shaft housing and driveshaft bearing housing. Should the side of the seal where spring can be seen be considered the lip? Should proper direction be 1 lip out toward water and 1 lip in toward gear lube? Thanks for any help.

 

[F_R]

Re: 71 Johnson 125 lower unit seal direction

That is correct on all counts.

 

[brickster]

Re: 71 Johnson 125 lower unit seal direction

Thanks for your reply, this motor layed on a garage floor for many years, when checking lower unit oil, ther wasn't much. After removing prop shaft seals they were both facing out, hope no major damage was done to this 40+year old motor that looks like new.

 

[rockyrude]

Re: 71 Johnson 125 lower unit seal direction

If no water came out of it when you pulled the seals or drain plug, you should be O.K. Don't forget that motor takes Premium type C gear lube.