[Bob1944]

I have changed the seals but still get a milky mix. Am I expecting too much? I think the oil should be nice and oily after running and shifting. What do you think?

[R.Johnson]

That gearcase hase two stud's that hold the upper, and lower together. Under those stud's is a metal seal, like a spark plug seal, or washer. You can have a leak there. What you need is a gearcase pressure pump, and the ideal thing would be a pressure, and vacuam pump. If you were to pressurize that gear case, and put it in a tub of water, you would find your leak. That case has several source's of leak's. You could spend a lot of time, and money without the proper tool's. By the way, every one want's to do this pressure,or vacuam test with the gearcase at rest. Turn the drive shaft while under pressure, or vacuam, and see what you have. Does your Seloc manual mention those metal seal's under the mounting stud's? I would guess not.

[F_R]

Originally Posted by R.Johnson

That gearcase hase two stud's that hold the upper, and lower together. Under those stud's is a metal seal, like a spark plug seal, or washer. You can have a leak there. What you need is a gearcase pressure pump, and the ideal thing would be a pressure, and vacuam pump. If you were to pressurize that gear case, and put it in a tub of water, you would find your leak. That case has several source's of leak's. You could spend a lot of time, and money without the proper tool's. By the way, every one want's to do this pressure,or vacuam test with the gearcase at rest. Turn the drive shaft while under pressure, or vacuam, and see what you have. Does your Seloc manual mention those metal seal's under the mounting stud's? I would guess not.

I was about to consider that a nutty reply, till I realized what stud seals you were talking about. Yes there are two of them (307086) where they screw into the lower gearcase. But it is highly unlikely that they are leaking unless somebody has been messing with it. They are to be torqued to specifications. What does happen sometimes is one of the studs breaks, allowing the upper and lower gearcase to separate a bit and leak. If the second one breaks, the problem is resolved because the lower part goes to Davey Jones' locker. They break for two main reasons: Improper torque or bent upper gearcase. A close look at the upper gearcase reveals how skinny it is and you can see how it is easy to bend.

[R.Johnson]

They will also leak when the stud starts to turn before the retaining nut after some corrosion.

[R.Johnson]

FR: How much can that upper gearcase be bent?

[Bob1944]

this is a sweet little engine, it runs like a champ but what I'm reading here makes me wonder if it is worth taking that bottom end apart to see where it is leaking. I am beginning to think those two studs could break when I take it apart. That upper and lower seem to be solid in their connection. Any advice?

[R.Johnson]

That gearcase has a square section spring, and hub on both on both gear's. It will not tolerate much water contamination. Once that spring slip's on the hub, It is pretty much done for.

[F_R]

Originally Posted by R.Johnson

FR: How much can that upper gearcase be bent?

Anything up to severe. Ever see a guy launch a boat on a too-shallow ramp without tilting the engine and the whole boat is practically standing on the lower unit? Or a boat moored or beached with the lower unit stuck in the ground and wave action ramming it back and forth? It only takes a few thous to break studs or drive shaft.

The only way to know if it is bent is to take it apart and check it on a surface plate with a dial indicator, as described in the service manual. But unless the studs or drive shaft are broken, not much need to suspect it, huh?

bob1944, don't assume it needs to come apart at the studs. As already said, pressure test it to see where it is leaking. Besides, many a coil wire has been broken by taking it aprart at the studs and letting the lower half drop. Know what you are getting into.