Replacing upper water tube grommet in older OMC outboard

[schaaed1]

Putting new lower seals in an old, but very good running, '62 5.5hp Johnson. While I've got EVERYTHING apart (gotta pull the power head on this one to remove gearcase) I'd like to put in a new grommet (seal) on the upper end of the water tube. The only problem is, it is up inside the exhaust housing and it attaches to the side of the housing. Anyone know a trick to get it out ... and more importantly get the new one in and in the right position? I do not think I can get my hand in there. There has to be a better way than having my 10 year old attempting to stick her hand up the exhaust housing.

Thanks,
Ed

[salmonslammer]

Is it an O ring or a seal ????

[schaaed1]

It is referred to as a grommet in the parts book. The lower water tube (from the pump) slides inside the grommet. The Grommet also has an ear that fits into a hole in the exhaust housing to keep it in place. Here is a pic of one from the Sierra catalogue.

http://www.sierramarine.com/sierra/catalog/intimages/18-3329.jpg

I believe (although not 100% certian) this is a common part on most of the lower HP OMC outboards well into the '70's.

Ed

[TONGA]

yes it is a very common part.but what exactly do you mean by "exhaust housing" do you mean the adapter and tuner that the power head bolts to?

[schaaed1]

yes it is a very common part.but what exactly do you mean by "exhaust housing" do you mean the adapter and tuner that the power head bolts to?
Well, the parts book is reffering to the exhaust housing as, the main housing that the steering, tiller, and tilt assembly are attached to. The power head attaches to and sits atop of this housing ... the gear case below. Here is a pic of a unit I popped off e-pay. Believe this housing is for a '57-'58, but is the same (except color) for the '62.
http://i15.ebayimg.com/01/i/03/8a/cd/68_2.JPG
Power head would be on Lft side, gear case to Rt. Notice the small hole in the side of the case part way in from the right side? This is where the nipple from the grommet goes into (just keeps it in place). It also slides into/onto a tube in the housing at that point. When the gear case is installed, the water tube must be guided into the other side of the grommet.

Hope that makes the picture clear ... so my question again, how the heck do you get the old one out and much more importantly how do you get the new one in place.

Ed

[TONGA]

your water tube should have 2 of those seals.one of them goes in the top of the water pump cover and the other goes,well if you have a small flashlight you should be able to spot it looking down from where the power head bolts on and you should be able to change it from the top by lubing it up and sliding it in from the top at least that's the way I put them in any 5.5 I ever serviced including my own. if you hold your lower unit (with the water tube) next to your down-housing you should get a very good idea of where it is, that seal goes very close to the top of the water tube.

[schaaed1]

your water tube should have 2 of those seals.one of them goes in the top of the water pump cover and the other goes,well if you have a small flashlight you should be able to spot it looking down from where the power head bolts on and you should be able to change it from the top by lubing it up and sliding it in from the top at least that's the way I put them in any 5.5 I ever serviced including my own. if you hold your lower unit (with the water tube) next to your down-housing you should get a very good idea of where it is, that seal goes very close to the top of the water tube.
Correct there are two, the one for the water pump is a piece of cake. Any issues getting the 'titt' on the seal to seat in the hole in the down-housing (exhaust housing)?

I'll go out and look closer a little later, I had not even considered trying to install it from the powerhead side ... didn't think this would be possible. When you say 'sliding it in' are you actually sliding it inside of the upper tube and working it down?

I'll have the new one here on Monday, maybe that will shed some light on the subject ... when I have it in my hand. The Seloc manual says it is a good idea to replace it (makes sense to change out the old rubber), But it does NOT tell how. Maybe it will be easier than I am invisioning, but, I just do not want to take the old one out and not be able to get the new one in the correct position.

Thanks,
Ed