O-Ring on Drive Shaft?

[SWTraver]

I have a 1988 Mercruiser Alpha One stern drive which I'm preparing to do a water pump overhaul. Is there an O-Ring near the top of the drive shaft? There's a notch there beneath the splines, but the directions in the manual are unclear with some photos showing a O-ring and some not. When removed, the shaft did not have an O-ring. Thank you!

 

[kghost]

Look up where the shaft fits. There are two seals and the oring could be stuck in there. If so be careful removing it so NOT to damage the seals.

The oring is there to keep the grease you are to apply to the splines.

That is a MR drive shaft. The Pure Alpha 1 gen 1 did away with the oring.

MR and Alpha are the same except the Oring groove

 

[SWTraver]

Thank you for your response. You certainly seem to be very knowledgeable about these things, which is a great asset for us and this forum. Thank you.