Re: Newbie Questions Restoring 1957 Johnson 18hp FDE-11

[Don]

A lot to know for sure! I did not know that about the Gel seal (don’t let it get too cold), but usually only buy it in the small expensive tubes because of the fear of shelf life or improper storage.
Just goes to show that sealing up the crankcase halves might seem like a minor detail when it comes to rebuilds, but there is so much to know to avoid troubles.
Again, there is nothing quite so upsetting than starting a fresh rebuild and noticing even a slight crankcase leak. It is also important to note that using more sealer to avoid leaks is definitely not the answer either. Too much of either sealer can actually "shim" the halves apart and get into the crank bearings also. Not trying to be "preachy", but definitely speaking from negative experiences for sure.