Re: 71 100hp water pump
Disconnect the shift wires at the powerhead, and tie a wire or string or something onto them. You need that to pull the wires back up when you reassemble.
Unbolt the lower unit and drop it down and away from the motor. The shift cable will come with it.....and your string. Make sure you don't pull the string all the way out!!!! The water pump is right there in front of you now.
When you are ready to reassemble it, lubricate the sealing ridges on the shift cable, the exhaust seal, and the water tube grommets, and smear some grease on the drive shaft splines. Make sure the o-ring is on it too, and don't knock it off when reassembling. There are two plastic water tube guides on the tubes. Pull them off and insert in the pump. You need those guides to "find" the water tubes that you can't see as you assemble. You are supposed to put some sealer on the joint where the gearcase meets the upper housing, but it really doesn't matter if you don't, other than some water spits out (harmless). Assemble the gearcase to the upper, pulling the shift cable up as you do. You need to give the shift cable a little extra tug for the last inch to get the sealing rings in place. Make sure you match the blue and green wires.
One other thing: To remove the gearcase there is a hidden bolt. Remove the trim tab and you will see it. Mark the trim tab position before removing it.
Hope I didn't forget anything. Have fun.
