Re: 1955 Evinrude gasket question

[frankr]

The baffle was added to keep water and exhaust away from the lower crankshaft seal area. I guess one could debate how effective it was. Anyhoo, lots of motors were converted to use it without problems such as you describe. I’m not even sure I understand where you say it is spraying. If you mean the shifter shaft that goes through the housing, there is an o-ring seal around it. But if the hole is all wallowed out, the shaft will be sloppy and the o-ring won’t do much good. As for the upper drain holes, I don’t understand what holes you are speaking of.

For whatever good it might do, I would keep the baffle. That seal was a serious problem area.