forgot the o-ring on driveshaft

[roger.st]

Just put a good used lower unit on my 87 johnson 150. put new water pump on it.got it all back together including the contrary shift shaft and discovered that I forgot to put the o-ring on the upper drive shaft. what part does the o-ring play? there wasn't one on the old shaft when i took it off, forgot to look and see if it was in the motor. Do I need to do it all over again? Not to much fun for a 71 year old man. thanks

[the gman]

I beleive the oring is to keep water and crap from migrating onto the spines and freezing them together(not being able to remove later). I wouldn't worry to much about it as long as you put some sort of grease or antiseeze on it. If you put it together dry it will wear out the spines though

[roger.st]

Thanks, I did grease the splins real good