Alpah one waterpump

[SCORPIO]

I need to replace the waterpump on my port engine before splash. I've never worked on a Merc drive before so I've only read about it. How long should this take and will I need an assistant to help me reinstall the lower on the boat? I will not be pulling the entire drive as I just had new bellows and gimbals installed last season. I must have sucked up some muck or a bag and damaged my impeller as I have a low speed heating issue that goes away with increased rpms.
Are there any pitfalls to watch out for in this job? I know I have to be in foreward and not to turn the prop after I get the thing apart. Want to be careful not to damage the shift shaft either. Can anybody add anything or give me any tips? I'm very mechanically inclined and have tools and an outdrive stand and manuals.
BTW these are Alpha One Gen I drives.
I'm going to replace the entire pump while I'm in there.

 

[cogarbull]

no what you said is basically it is pretty easy fix

 

[Boatingnut]

Yup, go for it, you have the basics. I think there are o-rings at the top of the shaft. Replace those.

 

[Sundancer]

You can pull the whole drive off without touching the bellows. It's easier to put the two halves back together while off the boat. I tried removing the lower halves and redoing the pumps, but I had troublel lining the thing back up without damaging the seal in the upper half. Having it off the boat made it easier. The directions in the manuals are pretty clear, you'll be OK. Worst case, you hop on here and you'll get answers within a few minutes!! We'll be your life line! Part of me is thinking it might be easier to do one drive every year, than two drives every other year!