outdrive cover gasket missing?

[bashr52]

I pressure tested my Alpha 1 gen 2 over the weekend and confirmed a leaky drive seal under the U-joint. I got it apart ok, but there is clearly a gasket under the top cover along with an o-ring when I pulled it off. Looking at the replacement parts diagram, there is an O-ring, but no gasket? What gives?

 

[alldodge]

What is your serial number?

 

[bman440440]

no gasket... just the O-ring is what seals the upper housing

 

[wrench 3]

Trouble is, if you remove the gasket it will increase the pre-load on the upper drive shaft bearings.
So the question is, did someone decide that it should have a gasket and in the process reduce the pre-load, or did they put the gasket in to correct the pre-load without having to remove the upper bearing race and re-shim.

 

[Bt Doctur]

or make a gasket trying to fix a leak?
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Techbk/97/97hs2.pdf

 

[wrench 3]

Sorry, I gave you a problem without giving you a solution. If you go to http://boatinfo.no/lib/mercruiser/manuals/mercruiser14.html#/156 the procedure for checking the preload is on page 156.

 

[Bt Doctur]

3A-34 and 3A-35 in here http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/14/14a3.pdf

 

[bashr52]

I double checked last night, looks like with just the O-ring I should be good to go. Thanks