Bill, In reviewing my photos when I had this little jewel
apart, but I see that I gooped up around one line.
And “yes”, both pumps on this one are “back to back” and below
the water line.
The replacement impeller has less vanes, but I can’t say what
difference that might make?
Black RTV around the supply water line.
That motor has the water pumps at the normal level, right? Around the level of the top of the gear case, NOT high under the power head?
I noticed that on my 9 hp, there is a water tube that goes up into the mid section, as you install the lower unit, that doesn’t seem to have a provision for any kind of grommet. It just seemed to go into aluminum. I was wondering how that was going to seal. I put some perfect seal on it when I put it together. I wonder if this joint is the source of some of your water woes? By the way, it was a good time putting that lower unit back on, wasn’t it? Said no one.
Prepare to be boarded!