Sorry – I was looking at the wrong part. The water intake on those models was larger than the water tube. At speed more water was forced in than the output could handle. The water would fill the driveshaft housing and rust the crank shaft.That seal was the first attempt to stop that. some were cork. some were leather. Later holes were drilled to let the water out of the housing, which solved the problem. It was common for racers to remove that seal, shave down the water pump and drill extra holes in the driveshaft housing to gain a little more horse power. A small “O” ring will do – it’s not that important.
Garry in Michigan
