Older OMC impeller

[Polara Pat]

Hello,

I have a '69 OMC (model # 55973c) that I was planning on replacing the water pump impeller on since the motor is new to me and I have no idea when or if it was ever changed.
Having never done this before I thought I would check with the gurus before I screw something up. I cracked all of the bolts loose on the lower leg but wasn't sure if there was any linkage or cables coming from the top that needed to be addressed. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks, Pat

 

[Polara Pat]

Re: Older OMC impeller

Have I maybe worded this wrong? Or is it just an obscure motor that no one knows anything about?

Just curious, I've always found this forum to be very helpful with quick and informative responses.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Older OMC impeller

You should have a shift electrical wire that you need to unhook, tie a string or wire to the harness so that when you pull it down you will have a way to pull the wires back up when you are done.

 

[Polara Pat]

Re: Older OMC impeller

Thanks for the tip. I gave the lower leg a few good whacks with the plastic mallet and it still seems to be held fast. I'm wondering if I missed a rogue bolt somewhere.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Older OMC impeller

Did you remove the bolt underneath the trim tab?

 

[F_R]

Re: Older OMC impeller

1. The electrical wire must be disconnected and something tied to it to retrieve it when reassembling.!!!!!!
2. Remove the 4 (I think) bolts at the sides of the gearcase
3. Remove the bolt forward of the trim tab
4. Mark the position of the trim tab, then remove it (one bolt)
5. Remove the bolt that was hidden by the trim tab
6. You can now remove the lower unit. Warning...do not pull the string all the way out!!!!
7. When you put it back together, apply some oil to the annular rings on the cable, top end. Pull it up into the hole (tight fit) to make a tight seal.

You wrote: "Have I maybe worded this wrong? Or is it just an obscure motor that no one knows anything about?
" Are you kidding? How did you get it to go this long on the original impeller? You have no idea how many spun their hubs and burned up the motors within the first two or three years. Seen it all.......

 

[Polara Pat]

Re: Older OMC impeller

Did you remove the bolt underneath the trim tab?

yup

 

[Polara Pat]

Re: Older OMC impeller

You wrote: "Have I maybe worded this wrong? Or is it just an obscure motor that no one knows anything about?
" Are you kidding? How did you get it to go this long on the original impeller? You have no idea how many spun their hubs and burned up the motors within the first two or three years. Seen it all.......[/QUOTE]

I have yet to see this motor run properly, I'm still in the preventative stages of repair before I find out what's really going on to make it run like crap.

Compression is decent and all within 5#; spark appears to be strong with new correct marine plugs and freshly mixed fuel seems good after a good carb cleaning. I just finished cleaning all of the electrical connections and building new plug wires so we'll see if I'm on the right track.