Water pump change

[zippy83]

Hello All,

I am getting ready to change the water pump. Never done it myself. One question I have is do I need to put the throttle in forward or keep it in neutral?
I got a 1974 Merc 50HP

Thanks
Zipp

 

[racerone]

Forward is likely the easiest.----------Keeping it in neutral also works , but there is a tendency for it to jump into forward while working on the lower unit.

 

[zippy83]

Thank you

 

[Chris1956]

Leave it in neutral. After replacing the impeller, wearplate and two gaskets, check to make sure the gearcase is still in neutral and then reinstall. Remember to grease the splines on the drive and shift shafts and mate the driveshaft and shiftshafts before using wrenches to tighten the nuts.

 

[zippy83]

All Done.. Had a small issue getting it in all the way. Had to turn the flywheel with one hand until it clicked in and then it went all the way in.

 

[boobie]

I always found forward was the easiest. Less chance of it jumping into gear if left in neutral when working on it.