Flex shaft gap?

[viper1]

I will, thanks!

[JonD]

I was getting water up the flex shaft. Removed the teflon washer and immediately no more water up the shaft. What I concluded was that in forward motion water was hitting the Teflon washer which was slightly bigger in diameter than the outer profile of the strut, and due to water pressure created around this point, water was being forced back up into the strut around the prop shaft. I guess I could have trimmed the Teflon washer down so that it was small enough not to protrude bigger than the outside of the strut, but I felt it wasn't serving any useful purpose as long as the gap between strut and dog was sufficient.

[viper1]

My washer is already same OD as everything else. But yes, I made an effort to keep this area as streamlined as possible, turned down the drive dog, prop nut, made a new teflon washer etc. so it looks 'clean' and all same diameter. Secondary for the reason you just described. That's why I was a bit dissapointed to hear such a large gap was needed.
But if it's needed, So be it.