Spring detent?

[quick_claude]

Please help. I'm in over my head. I recently bought a 1979 19'Chapparral 120hp I/O. The seawater impeller was bad so I dropped the lower unit and replaced it. I noticed that the o-ring on the lower spline was missing but figured that it was stuck in the upper unit and it would re-seat when I recoupled the units. THe water inlet tube and lower and upper shift shafts were aligned but I met resistance with about an inch left. So I dropped the upper unit and looked inside and saw a bent round metal ring where the lower drive shaft splines fit into the upper unit. Is the the o-ring or is it the oil seal???. The Cylmer manual is not real clear on this. ANy and all help is greatly appreciated as I've found out quickly that reading a sterndrive manual does not make me an expert. BTW, what is the "spring detent" on the top of the spline for? THanks!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Spring detent?

i'd say you've got a mod.1 outdrive(1979).. the spring you see loads the gears/bearings in the top half of the outdrive...it's the biggest difference between the mod.1+ alpha1....the bent metal ring is the retainer ring out of the upper case oil seal....the seal Must be replaced....<br />PS, o-rings do NOT seat themselves......Ever!!!!

 

[quick_claude]

Re: Spring detent?

Thanks Bond-o. I'll drop the upper unit and order an upper unit seal kit and probably have to order the shimming tools to measure drive gear clearance and driven gear clearance. I'd like to just order a new upper unit but that cost more than my boat's worth...which is what I'll probably have to end up doing by the time I'm through tearing this one down.... <br />One more question, my steering wheel has a a steady "shake" at low speeds and someone told me that it is probably the gimbel bearing. Have you ever heard of this before? Thanks for your help. I really need it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Spring detent?

YEP... when you have the upper out of the gimbal housing, reach right up through all that greasey ****,+ stick your finger in the inch hole that's staring back at you,+ see if it shakes,wiggles,or is other wise shot,,, then either replace or swear you'll never go near the water again.....<br />good luck, i'm rout'n for ya