Force 120 HP Dumb As- Mistake

[GaOkie]

In the process of reinstalling the lower unit (after installing new impeller) I inadvertently stabbed the drive shaft into what I believe was the exhaust tube/housing. Once I realized what I?d done I pulled the unit back out only to knock-off what I?d call a bushing (according to the manuals it?s called ?Retainer-Driveshaft Spline Seal? and Seal-Driveshaft Spline?) on the end of the shaft and it fell into an opening that also appears be part of the exhaust housing which has the what I think is the water tube which feeds the engine with water from the lower unit. I?ve fished for it; I?ve used a magnet to try to retrieve it with no avail. The only way I can determine to remove the part at this point is to remove the power head. Basically completely disassemble the motor.
Ok so my question is:
Do you think that part is going to hurt anything?

Thanks for you help!

Dumb As-

 

[Desertsky]

Re: Force 120 HP Dumb As- Mistake

In the process of reinstalling the lower unit (after installing new impeller) I inadvertently stabbed the drive shaft into what I believe was the exhaust tube/housing. Once I realized what I?d done I pulled the unit back out only to knock-off what I?d call a bushing (according to the manuals it?s called ?Retainer-Driveshaft Spline Seal? and Seal-Driveshaft Spline?) on the end of the shaft and it fell into an opening that also appears be part of the exhaust housing which has the what I think is the water tube which feeds the engine with water from the lower unit. I?ve fished for it; I?ve used a magnet to try to retrieve it with no avail. The only way I can determine to remove the part at this point is to remove the power head. Basically completely disassemble the motor.
Ok so my question is:
Do you think that part is going to hurt anything?

Thanks for you help!

Dumb As-

I would just say that they don't usually put in any extra, un-needed parts in these motors, so YA, get it fixed.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Force 120 HP Dumb As- Mistake

Uhhh! What year engine? If an earlier Force engine, it should fall out--see if you can jiggle the leg a bit or thump on the side with a rubber mallet. Later mercury Force--I'm not so sure, but again, you can not jam that part into a place where it will do damage. Eventually it will blow out with exhaust if it is indeed in the exhaust cavity.

The rubber and steel assembly "seals" the drive shaft and crankshaft splines from water and corrosion. If you regularly remove the lower unit and grease the splines with anti-seize, the engine will run happily.

 

[GaOkie]

Re: Force 120 HP Dumb As- Mistake

Serial number is for a 1990-1994. i do believe the part is in the exhaust tube. I've tried beating it with a rubber hammer, put a plastic bag around the lower unit and pulled the boat around tring to bounce it around nothing. i agree that it should fall out just wanting to be sure.

Thanks

 

[199675hpforce]

Re: Force 120 HP Dumb As- Mistake

Are you talking about the spacer and rubber boot on top shaft? My 96 has it, good idea to get flashlight up in there when doing water pump replacement to make sure everything goes back together. I did mine once and didnt even notice the part, then did another impeller then spacer came out, then did another and found the top boot and decided to always use flash light. Drop those parts back on shaft spacer first then top boot rounded end towards the block.

 

[GaOkie]

Re: Force 120 HP Dumb As- Mistake

Yea you could call it a spacer on the top end of the drive shaft. No there was no rubber boot (seal) except at the connection from the water pump to the water tube (that may not be the correct terminology).