Drive shaft seal

[GLEN DEUTSCH]

How necessary is the o ring/seal that sits atop the drive shaft on the spring on my Johnson cd 11 5.5hp? Forgot to put it on because there was no o ring or seal on when I took it apart. The spring was ridding on the large washer. Thought it looked funny but did not look at the parts diagram until I had the powerhead back on. Hate to take the powerhead off, if I don’t have to. Even though the previous mechanic left it off, I am leaning toward taking it apart. Must be there for a reason.

[fleetwin]

Yes, all those crazy pieces sure don’t look like they would fit together properly for sure…. But, they sure seem to do the job… I wouldn’t mess around, pull that powerhead off again, replace the oring and the round gasket…Make sure all the pieces are present and properly oriented….
I’m not ashamed to admit that I still am confused about how those pieces work together, just seems like the gasket would get damaged/torn up constantly turning against the bottom of the powerhead/SS washer….

[frankr]

Most people don’t realize what that seal is there for, much less how vital it is. Its job is to keep water out of the crankcase. If it is defective or missing, water can enter the crankcase, causing catastrophic damage. Not immediately, but eventually it will throw a rod. Then somebody will look at the pieces and declare it was ran without oil. I saw a lot of it back in “The Day” here in Salt Water Florida.

Most people also don’t realize the gasket is supposed to be glued to the round washer so it (the washer) doesn’t spin. Sealer 1000 was originally specified.

EDIT: I guess it goes without saying that this motor was scrapped because of salt water intrusion.

• This reply was modified 4 years, 1 month ago by frankr.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 1 month ago by frankr.

[GLEN DEUTSCH]

Thanks for all the help. Powerhead comes off. I have only been doing this for about four or five years. So, I don’t think I am tooting my own horn, when I say what a wonderful group the AOMCI is. You folks are passing along a repository of knowledge that otherwise soon would be forgotten. I go to a lot of antique engine shows. It is such a joy to see kids in their twenties along side of octogenarians, like I am soon to be, learning and sharing. What an opportunity. I’m sure that, while they are working together, a lot more wisdom is shared than just mechanics.

Happy New Year to all. ’21 has got to be better than ’20

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