1977 v4 115 water pump oops how serious

[crankbait cowboy]

so i got ahead of myself when replacing water pump and housing. all went together real well , but i forgot to grease or use some soapy water on the inside of housing on impellor plate and bottom and top plate. now i can turn the shaft clockwise but it starts real tight and the more i turn the better it gets but it is real snugg, due to a dry impellor against the dry plate on housing i am sure. my question is will this be alright or should i remove and lube to be safe?? thanks

 

[racerone]

For some strange reason folks like to think that the impeller needs to be lubricated.---The fact is that water provides all the lubrication needed when lower unit is submerged.----Do not know of many folks who take the lower unit off to lubricate the pump the second time they go to the lake !!!

 

[rickdb1boat]

Only reason I lube them is to make it easier to get in the cup. After that, water does nicely..

 

[crankbait cowboy]

i was under same assumption ( the lube is to help impellor fit into cup and nothing else), but having never done this was wondering if that shaft being so tight was normal.?? i can turn it by hand but real tough to get it started. am i to assume that is normal and once h2o gets to it it will turn more freely?

 

[fmjnax]

LOL @ racerone. Wouldn't that be something; seeing someone dropping their LU at the lake because he "needs to lube the impeller and cup for next time".

You're fine. I have never lubricated them. I've had a couple that were so stubborn that I later wish I had, but usually just a few minutes of fighting and the cup is on.

 

[gm280]

If water pump impellors were supposed to be installed lubed, wouldn't the factory manuals state that? I didn't lube mine and I'm not worried about it in the least..

 

[crankbait cowboy]

so that shaft turning so tight is normal then? makes sense as the rubber and housing are dry. impellor went on pretty darn nice, just thought that shaft turned awfully tough when all done, and wondering if i got something else going on??

 

[F_R]

Stop worrying about it. Of course it turns hard when dry. All that is instantly fixed as soon as you put it in the pond. Unless there is something wrong with one of the parts, there is no problem. On the other hand, if there is something wrong with one of the parts, lubrication won't fix it.

 

[crankbait cowboy]

good point FR, i am about positive it went together correctly , a bit of a worry wart i guess as did not really know what to expect. thanks to all, i am over it and on to more issues.