1989 140 lower end

[Dchunter]

Guys,

I just installed a new water pump and noticed when taking the lower end off it has no sealer on it. I reinstalled using a gasket sealer, but notice now that it has not completely sealed up. Water runs out of it in a few places. The engine is not running hot and seems to pump just fine, but is this going to be a problem and should I take it back up and try to reseal it again.

[Solarman]

The aluminum mating surfaces are machined for close fit, with guide pins to align the lower case with the midsection. This surface does not need to be water tight seal, does not need sealant.
The areas of concern when you replace water pump are the splines on the drive shaft (need a good quality non-drying water proof grease), and can use same grease on threads of bolts (to prevent corrosion at threads). Use a good quality water pump kit with new grommets on water tube (if dry-rotted). Replace or clean thermostat when water pump replaced. Inspect all parts of water pump housing, plate, cup/cover for any damages, grooves worn areas, that might cause problems with water flow.
Inspect/ clean any areas of corrosion. Notice if any corrosion is damaging any of the mating aluminum surfaces (corrosion of these surfaces can lead to problems). These surfaces including those cross webs are very important (these mating surfaces provide separate channels for high pressure exhaust through to exit prop, and another channel for water pickup to water pump to allow cooling of motor.), you do not want bad corrosion problems to let exhaust interfere with water pickup, not good.

Also, do not force unit back together, sometimes the splines don't line up exactly, so have lower unit in-gear when sliding together, if doesn't go all the way together turn the prop a little as it's going together, the splines should mate, and should slide together.

Good luck.