This is my brothers bass boat engine.   He had a guy put in a new impeller.  It hasn't pumped water since     He works at a local marine shop but I'm starting to wonder if he doesn't just wash boats.

My brother and I took it apart and found the O ring melted in the pump housing.   Got a pump kit today.  Is there something that should go over the water line going to the head or does it just slip inside the pump housing as the lower unit is bolted up?

We have a shop man. but it's clear as mud.   There is a rubber sleave that goes inside the little housing cover on top of the pump.   Is that all there is?

I can't answer your question about the line, but I do know that it is very important to remove any debris from the old impeller.  A friend of mine was working on one and claims that there was enough debris for two impellers inside.

Good call on the old impeller debris...   The OMC/Johnson impellers are pretty hearty and very seldom blow apart, but check anyway because you didn't pull the old one out.

The tube is slipped into the discharge port of the pump while installing the lower. The number one mistake on these pumps is the installation of the key or not cleaning things well enough causing an air leak.
Good hunting.

GT