installing lower unit seals - which direction?

[Squeakit]

I put new propshaft and driveshaft seals in my old Evinrude 5.5hp lower unit and it still leaks. I've looked at 3 different manuals and they all say be sure to put them in the same way they came out. Unfortunately I didn't pay any attention to this at the time I put them in and I can't find any info on which way they are supposed to be faced. If they're facing the wrong direction, will they leak? Would appreciate some advice. Thanks.

 

[Walker]

Re: installing lower unit seals - which direction?

they go back to back, metal to metal.

 

[Squeakit]

Re: installing lower unit seals - which direction?

Thanks for the reply, Walker. However, my motor has one seal for the propshaft, and one seal for the driveshaft. The propshaft seal is pressed into a round gearcase head that fits into the split gearcase, and the driveshaft seal is pressed into a metal plate underneath the waterpump. They were installed with the metal part of the seal toward the gearcase in the driveshaft seal, and the metal part toward the gearcase in the prop seal. The reason I'm confused is I have had 2 different boat mechs tell me 2 different directions. The Clymer manual and the Old Outboard Repair Manual are of absolutely no help at all. I put the propshaft seal in myself but it was such a b**ch of a job I had the other one pressed in by a shop. Now I'm thinking I may have damaged the propshaft seal putting it in, but don't want to get another one and install it the wrong direction.

 

[ob]

Re: installing lower unit seals - which direction?

Lip seals are of varying designs.for this reason it is necessary to determine which end to face in or out depending on whether you are sealing oil in or water out . since yours is of a single seal design you need be concerned with sealing water out. you can determine this by installing lip seal with the tapered side that rides against the prop shaft outward or to water side as water head pressure will tend to make the seal deform against shaft. It is also imperative that prop shaft surface where seal rides is free of corrosion pitting or deformaties.A lower unit designed to only accomodate a single lip seal on prop shaft should be one that the seal is of adouble lip design and would seal in both directions.If you have issues with the one you are using there are optional seals available from any industrial bearing supply store. Just make sure you obtain one with a stainless steel jacket& no tension spring

 

[Squeakit]

Re: installing lower unit seals - which direction?

Thanks for the reply ob. I believe the seals are installed in the right direction as the taper part that rides the shaft is on the opposite side of the all metal side, so assuming these are right, then my leakage is probably coming from the shift shaft o-ring, which I did not replace because I didn't know how to get to it. A local boat mech says they can be difficult. I have been trying that stuff that swells dried-out seals in car crankcases, but so far, no difference, so I suppose I'll have to pull it apart - again- and try to replace it - I may just have someone else do it. Right now, I'm using and enjoying the motor which runs like gangbusters since replacing the magneto components, and draining the milkshake out after each use and replacing it.