Re: Gear case lapping question

[jeff-register]

I’m with Pappy!
In 1979 My second motor ever was a 1953 Evinrude 15hp. When I bought it the impeller needed replaced. I couldn’t leave well enough alone & got inside the gearcase. Everything was clean enough to eat off of it. I replaced the shift O-ring was all. Not knowing much about marine mechanics I used a tube of electrical silicone & reused the seals. I let it dry in my hot garage for a week. I live in the desert where it was 125 degrees inside the garage. After it cured & then some I filled it with gear oil. It never leaked or took on water for the 3 years I owned it.
Yes, I have improved but a good cleaning & sealing fixed it up. It has cross hatched pattern on the mating surfaces which is there for a reason & better to be left as the factory machined it.