Chrysler 45HP impeller seal seated upside down

[GoodnightGraphics]

You read that correctly. I screwed up.

I recently replaced the impeller and seal on the impeller housing on a 1978 45HP Chrysler (456H8J), After re-assembly there was a very weak pee stream, which degraded to no stream and no water in the overflow tube. There was also oily water draining from the leg while running. When I dropped the lower unit to diagnose it, I noticed that I had the impeller housing seal installed upside down.

So my question is: Is the upside-down seal the likely cause of the water flow issue? I searched for the answer to this, but apparently no one else has made the same dumb mistake. :facepalm:

Go easy on me.....

Thanks.

 

[jerryjerry05]

The seal is there to just stop the pump from sucking air.
​I don't imagine an upside down seal would hurt anything??

Did/ does the lower unit have water in there?
Is the coupler still on the pump body?
Is the copper tube loose?
Did it line up right when it was reinstalled??
Is it the right impeller?

 

[gm280]

Not seeing your particular seal, if it is a lip seal, then yes is could make a difference. If it is basically an "O" ring type seal then I agree it would not really make any difference. So depending on the actual seal type it can make a difference. I would try to remove it gently if you can, or even buy a new seal and fix that issue now. Then if you have everything else lined up and installed correctly, it should solve you issues. JMHO

 

[GoodnightGraphics]

The seal is there to just stop the pump from sucking air.
​I don't imagine an upside down seal would hurt anything??

Did/ does the lower unit have water in there?
Is the coupler still on the pump body?
Is the copper tube loose?
Did it line up right when it was reinstalled??
Is it the right impeller?

- The lower unit did have water in it. I replaced the drive shaft seal last night in hopes to remedy that.
- The coupler is still there.
- I did have the copper tube lined up correctly, but it will be a challenge now because the whole tube came out of the leg when I removed the LU. I will have to "feel" my way around to seat it back in the mount plate.
- The impeller should be correct. It was the same exact size as the previous one.

Not seeing your particular seal, if it is a lip seal, then yes is could make a difference. If it is basically an "O" ring type seal then I agree it would not really make any difference. So depending on the actual seal type it can make a difference. I would try to remove it gently if you can, or even buy a new seal and fix that issue now. Then if you have everything else lined up and installed correctly, it should solve you issues. JMHO

I did manage to get the seal flipped over. I am about to go out and try to re-install the lower unit (if i can get the copper tube to seat correctly.

Thank you both for your responses. I will be sure to update after tonight's effort.

 

[GoodnightGraphics]

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The water pump is now working fine. After seating the copper tube, I am not 100% confident any more that i had it seated correctly before.

I changed and checked the gear case fluid after running it and it doesnt seem milky. But I don't know how long it would take for that to present itself.

I have a concern over the fluid coming from the leg drain hole after the motor is shut down. After all the clear water drains out of it, this gray/brown oily mix seeps out. (see pic below). It smells like gasoline. Is that normal? If not, any guesses as to the cause?

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Nordin]

It is normal. It is residue/unburned fuel from idling. Two strokers does not burn all fuel, especially when idling.

It will be more or less depending how you run it. Check the air/fuel screw at carb, if it is a bit rich there will be more residue.
Screw should be set 1 to 1 1/4 turn out from lightly seated.

 

[jerryjerry05]

The air screw should be set at 1 and 1/4-1/2 out for initial adjustment.
​Once started and warm and in gear, you need to adjust from there.
Read the top few posts in this forum.

The gear case oil/water could take a while to go bad or 1 trip??
Just keep an eye on it and change the drain/ fill plug gaskets.
You can use Mercury or Mercruiser plug seals.
The originals were "crush rings" and need to be replaced when you remove them.
The Mercury ones can be used again and again.

 

[GoodnightGraphics]

Thanks Nordin and Jerry! That's great news. I suspected it was normal, but I really wanted some confirmation. The idle mixture screw is set just over 1 turn so I think I am good.

I'll keep an eye on the gearcase fluid after each run. I'll definitley get some of those mercury plug seals too.

Thanks again!