" One thing I found out while
" One thing I found out while fixing my engine of the same year and model is that ther are two different configurations of lower units. There is the C model, and there is the E model. The prop shafts from these two units are different diamiters where they exit the beraing housing. I had bought a used prop shaft, and only after trying to put it on did I realize that there was a difference and it would not seal with my beraing current housing. I then had to also buy the bearing housing that went with that shaft. The only reason I was able to tell a differnce was buy looking at a manual I had bought from this site.
If it appears that the seals are on the bearing housing, and it still does not seal, you may have the wrong housing for your type of prop shaft. I do not know if it would be possible to have the right size seal pressed into same housing or not, for me it was easier just to replace the entire bearing housing.
Anyway, once I put the correct bearing housing on, everything sealed up fine, and I have been having a good time out on the water. I would strongly suggest buying one of the service manuals for this motor. It made all the differnce in the world. "