Abstract: An improved liquid seal for a stern drive bell housing gear shift shaft. The upper end of the gear shift shaft is positioned within the designed water free drive shaft gimbal passageway in the bell housing while the majority of the remaining portion of the gear shift shaft extends through the adjacent exhaust passageway in the bell housing which is designed to have sea water passing therethrough. The seal is disposed within an aperture in the partition between the gimbal and exhaust passageways through and within which the gear shift shaft is held for operable rotation. The seal includes a rigid bushing having an upper and a lower portion, the upper portion adapted for forced watertight fit within the bell housing partition aperture. The lower portion of the seal is enlarged and adapted to sealably receive at least one replaceable enlarged annular-shaped water and oil seal which operably engages against the gear shift shaft.