Impeller o-ring? question/confusion

[oregonducker]

95 Johnson 48 Special.

Do currently available impellers for this motor require an o-ring between itself and the impeller plate like OEM or is that o-ring no longer relevant?

I'm replacing the water pump and ordered a kit. The OEM impeller has a recess on the bottom for an o-ring that sits on top of the impeller plate. The impeller in the new kit is not recessed for an o-ring but an o-ring was included in the kit.

I ran to the nearest boat shop and the impeller they have in stock also does not have a recess for the o-ring. I showed them the one I just took out and they did a good bit of research and couldn't say for sure if I had the right impeller. They think it no longer needs the oring.

Everything is identical between the new and old except for the o-ring recess on the bottom.

 

[oldboat1]

I would use the unrecessed one. Use some wet/dry sandpaper to clean up the stainless wear plate, and apply a light coating of marine grease if you have some.

 

[racerone]

They made changes from one year to the next.-----If there is provision for the o-ring then use it.----If no groove install it as is.----Both impeller styles will work just fine !!

 

[oregonducker]

Thank you both. I tend to make myself nervous over uncertainties in places like water pumps.