Water tube guide obsolete, ideas?

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Stevewatr

Seaman
Joined
Aug 31, 2009
Messages
60
I was looking for 2 new ater tube guides so I can finish installing my lower gearcase back on the motor, but the longer tube guide, part number 314765 is obsolete. I'm guessing maybe the seasoned mechanics know what to use as a substitute. Seems any straight plastic tubing with the proper OD/ID could be cut to length to fashion replacement guides, but the guides were really thin walled! The id needs to be large enough to take the copper tube, and the od has to fit in the top cover that holds the grommets in. Suggestions???

Thanks.
Steve W.
 
T

TD_Maker

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 31, 2005
Messages
564
Re: Water tube guide obsolete, ideas?

Steve, What motor do you have, and have you looked on EBay?
 
S

Stevewatr

Seaman
Joined
Aug 31, 2009
Messages
60
Re: Water tube guide obsolete, ideas?

TD_Maker said:
Steve, What motor do you have, and have you looked on EBay?
Click to expand...

Hi,
It's for my 1969 55hp. Model 55ESL69A. Ebay was my first stop after striking out elsewhere online. I did get great buys on there on a NOS wear plate, and extension tube, but no go on the guide tubes. Funny thing is the short tube is still available, but not the long one, and that stinks, because if I could get 2 long ones, I could cut one shorter to make a short tube, but not the other way around!

Steve W.
 
F

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,219
Re: Water tube guide obsolete, ideas?

So, why not just use two short ones? The only reason for different lengths is so you can enter the water tubes one at a time. Heck, cut 1/8" off one of the short ones and you will have a short one and a shorter one and can enter the tubes one at a time, just not quite as much viewing space.
 
S

Stevewatr

Seaman
Joined
Aug 31, 2009
Messages
60
Re: Water tube guide obsolete, ideas?

F_R said:
So, why not just use two short ones? The only reason for different lengths is so you can enter the water tubes one at a time. Heck, cut 1/8" off one of the short ones and you will have a short one and a shorter one and can enter the tubes one at a time, just not quite as much viewing space.
Click to expand...

Well now that's just too easy! But seriously, was just hoping for a "quick fix" that did not involve yet another wait for a parts order. Worst part is I did have one good tube, but missplaced it, and at $6 each for a little hunk of plastic, I'm not a happy camper.
If I have any luck ar the hardware store, I'll post my results here in case a future thread viewer needs it.
Thanks,
Steve
 
S

Stevewatr

Seaman
Joined
Aug 31, 2009
Messages
60
Re: Water tube guide obsolete, ideas?

jb93 said:
Did a quick google and these guys show to have 2 onhand.
Gunnells Marine Unlimited

You might also try this shop - found NLA parts there before reasonable
Tim's Outboard
Click to expand...

Thanks, but I had planty of coil aluminum flashing, and gorilla tape, so I made my own, and I think they will be just fine, but now I have to replace, ot repair a water tube because the last person working on this cut one tube short because he had no idea why it "seemed" roo long, when the real problem was wrong water pump cover, and wear plate!

Steve.
 
Joe Reeves

Joe Reeves

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 24, 2002
Messages
13,262
Re: Water tube guide obsolete, ideas?

Those tube guides vibrate up the water tubes and lock on up there. Did you look up the exhaust housing, along those tubes with a good flashlight? They're usually there and if so, simply grab onto them with a hook like tool and yank them down for reuse.
 
S

Stevewatr

Seaman
Joined
Aug 31, 2009
Messages
60
Re: Water tube guide obsolete, ideas?

Joe Reeves said:
Those tube guides vibrate up the water tubes and lock on up there. Did you look up the exhaust housing, along those tubes with a good flashlight? They're usually there and if so, simply grab onto them with a hook like tool and yank them down for reuse.
Click to expand...

I remebered one of the tubes falling out when I dis-assembled it, but I misplaced that one. The other was not there at all, I checked with a flashlight on the tubes. I'm not surprised it is missing, I found the water pump has a couple wrong parts, and some missing parts, and now I find one of the copper water tubes was cut shorter! :mad:

Steve W.
 
W

Willyclay

Captain
Joined
Sep 8, 2006
Messages
3,254
Re: Water tube guide obsolete, ideas?

Stevewatr said:
and now I find one of the copper water tubes was cut shorter!
Click to expand...

Some forum members have reported successfully using automotive heater hose and hose clamps to extend water tubes. Good luck!
 
S

Stevewatr

Seaman
Joined
Aug 31, 2009
Messages
60
Re: Water tube guide obsolete, ideas?

Willyclay said:
Some forum members have reported successfully using automotive heater hose and hose clamps to extend water tubes. Good luck!
Click to expand...

I'm wishing I had thought to try that! I thought I would remove the tubes, cut some more off to leave enough room to use 1/2" couplers to solder on a new section. Idea seemed sound, but removing the tubes mean removing the exhaust cover........I just attempted that. Snapped 2 bolts at the top, and one in the lower section where the support is, and to make matters worse, it won't come off!:mad:

I can wedge somthing in the back, and it is seperating there, but is staying tight as a tick up front. Seems like I have a bolt I missed somewhere holding it, but the parts exploded view shows nothing there, and if there was on, it'd be buried under the powerhead.:grumpy:

I have removed 2 bolts at #80, and 6 bolts at #48, and it won't come off. I removed 3 of the 4 bolts at #52, one snapped off and might be holding up the front, but I would think it'd open uo a little. Any ideas?

55esl69a.jpg
 
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