72 johnson 20hp broke on me need help please....

[Root Rat]

So I really need to stop taking this POS apart!!! My shift shaft is bent... got a new one on order... this motor is killing my fishing fund...

 

[Root Rat]

Still trying to fix the gearcase, unfortunately... As I went to start my reassembly, I watched a few YouTube vids so I had a clear idea of what I needed to do. Then I came across this issue and I again, have no fracking clue what this guy did to this motor and how I should try to fix it? I am pretty sure this is the wrong gearcase head assembly. With the Serria rebuild kit I got, the seals that would go into the head assembly dont fit? I tried to compare the one I have to some of the images for the ones for sale on Ebay. I have an extra hole drilled through the inner section as shown in pic #1. I guess it's to allow gear oil inside as the shaft is spinning. Looking at the "same" part on Ebay I didn't see this hole anywhere? I also don't have enough room to hold 2 seals stacked...? But in the vids i saw 2 seals being inserted into the head assembly. I have those 2 seals but the head assembly also has a different diameter for whatever size seal it takes? The seals I have are approx 1.125" in dia., and the head assembly opening I have is 1.25" in dia. I can only assume that the guy I got this motor from swapped out quite a few parts and somehow managed to get this motor to run. Unfortunately for me, I am just short of an ***** when it comes to outboards so I don't really know what to do now if I can't figure out what the seal # is for what I have here? Or if i should even bother with it and try and buy the correct head assembly? Also not knowing if the shaft is right as well? I have doubts about the whole gearcase and all the parts?

 

[Root Rat]

Oh and while I am here, how do I know what way the impeller should get twisted back into the housing? when i am looking down at the gearcase should i spin it counterclockwise OR clockwise?

 

[AZGDOGG]

Oh and while I am here, how do I know what way the impeller should get twisted back into the housing? when i am looking down at the gearcase should i spin it counterclockwise OR clockwise?

Always clockwise for the water pump impeller, that is the driveshaft is turned clockwise while pushing the housing down over the well lubricated impeller. I looked up your issue using the engine model code you listed earlier at marineengine.com and found this in the notes.

IMPORTANT NOTE *** If replacing the prop shaft seal in the 0383757 order OMC part 0321787 or Sierra part 18-2031 . Earlier part numbers of this carrier use 0313284 or Sierra 18-2005 .

You should go there and get down in the weeds on the gearbox page to verify for yourself.
Several of the other members more experienced than me with outboards maybe able to elaborate.

 

[Pappy]

One of the biggest issues with Sierra parts is that in too many cases ..... they don't fit.
Whenever possible use OEM parts.
Also, the most likely culprit in your gearcase will be the shift rod Oring......make absolutely sure you change it.