Oil pump removal

With having just over 2,525 hours on the motor and only being able to access the oil pump with the power head removed, I decided I might as well replace the oil pump at this time. I forgot to mention earlier, that I have been in discussion with Andy Jr. at Shipyard Island Marina on Washington Island, in Door County, Wi. Andy and "SIM" are pretty well known in the Yamaha field, and "SIM" is where the Permatrims are ordered and shipped from within the USA. I've stayed at the marina a few times, so know Andy personally. He is outgoing and an expert on the Yamaha engines. Shipyard Island Marina has been a heavy service facility for a long time, and is where the USCG will tow disabled yachts that need repair. He agreed with my assessment to replace the oil pump now. Also, there is a collar on the output shaft that the oil pump surrounds. The oil pump's seals will wear a groove in that collar over time. So it is highly recommended to replace that collar as well. As you can see in the photos, my collar did have some deep grooves in it. I was able to remove it with heat from a torch. I also have a new collar and oil pump on order. The exhaust walls in the mid section look ok, so no work needs to be done there. Can't remember if I already mentioned it in an earlier blog, but I had changed the lower unit lube, and then pulled the lower unit off until I get the power head reinstalled. Earlier I had replaced the shift rod seal at the front of the water pump, as it had been leaking water into the lube. No water this time when I changed the lube, so I was happy with that! I will add another footprint once I get my parts and start reinstalling stuff. Oh, and lastly, I managed to drop the cowling and cracked it. (It was either fall off the step ladder, or drop the cowling...) I am already working on thatRead more