Hi everyone.

I’ve recently joined the club and located in Canada just north of Winnipeg.  I am hoping to connect with folks who can help me with my 1956 Evinrude 30 HP motors.  I have 2 of these that my dad bought new in 1956 to run on a ChrisCraft day cruiser he built.  I don’t think the motors got more than 200 hours of operational use on them, always in fresh water, before the project was stored.  As expected most of the seals, hoses and other components are quite dried up.  The model numbers are 25022 and 25924.  The 25022 had electric start installed upon purchase and both had fuel pumps added making them matched units for the boat.  Over the years I’ve kept the cylinders oiled and pulled through to keep things loose. My intention is to make them operational once again.

When I dropped the lower ends off both motors I found the spring from the crankshaft’s lower lip seal sitting at the bottom of the driveshaft, on both motors, along with pieces of the lip seal.  I have removed the power head  from the 25022 and removed the upper and what’s left of the lower seal which appear to be the dreaded 303804 seals. Any of the parts lists I’ve come across indicate this seal was used on the lower end “to motors 09000” and at “09001 and up” the carbon seal was used.  I assume that referred to the serial numbers.  Interestingly my serial numbers are 51311 and 50138 so I had expected to find the carbon seals.

When I removed the lower seal I now see what looks like another lip seal above it.  Can any of the members who have worked on these let me know what this is?  There doesn’t seem to be any documentation available to understand it.  I don’t want to try to dig it out until I know what it is and where to get a new one if it is indeed an oil seal.

I’ve been a bit reluctant in opening the crankcase due to the low hours on the motors but now feel it may be a good idea to change the lower bearing and put the carbon seal in.  I’m wondering what thoughts members may have as to this upgrade.  And any direction as to where to find the parts.  I see there’s some on eBay but maybe there’s a better source.

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.

Rick