I just got a Sportsman that I found to have a gearcase full of water. Ice, actually. Luckily the gearcase didn’t crack. Out of curiosity, I started poking around at the prop shaft seal which seems to have been some kind of layered fiber covered with a washer. Came out in pieces. Maybe I should have left that alone? (I’ve had that thought too many times).
What were these original seals made of? What can I use as a replacement?
All they had in 1935 was cork. There was an inner and outer ring. The surface between them was at at angle so, in theory, pushing in on the retaining ring tightened the seal. They had only limited success. This is why grease was always specified. In some cases the recess for the seal may be enlarged and a modern seal can be used. . . 🙂