1974 70hp o/b Water leak from head cover

[dschild]

Had this boat for about a month. First boat. It started misfiring about two weeks ago. I have not taken it out since. I found that there was a small leak out the starboard side of the motor coming out of the head cover. I figured water was getting back inside causing the misfire.
I replaced the following:
Head gasket (the one in there turned out to be blown around the 2nd cylinder)
head cover gasket
thermostat gasket
thermostat cover gasket
spark plugs (found out the guy at west marine gave me the wrong ones. Inland marine told me I was to use gapless plugs.

Motor seems to sound a lot better now. But the leak continues. It's not as bad. I torqued the head cover down a little more (beyond recommendations) and it reduced the leak a little. But it is still there.

The leak goes from a drip to a spray as the throttle increases.

I let the engine run for 5 minutes to warm up and see if the leak would stop on its own. No such luck. (But it never misfired. I even popped it in gear and let it run high for 20 seconds)

Any recommendations?

 

[fire831]

Re: 1974 70hp o/b Water leak from head cover

Possible the head cover is warped. Did you use sealer on the head cover?

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1974 70hp o/b Water leak from head cover

edit

 

[dschild]

Re: 1974 70hp o/b Water leak from head cover

Possible the head cover is warped. Did you use sealer on the head cover?

Yes, I did use sealer on the head gasket. If it is warped, where could I find a new cover?

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1974 70hp o/b Water leak from head cover

edit

 

[dschild]

Re: 1974 70hp o/b Water leak from head cover

Thanks everyone.
I took it all apart again and took a closer look. Viewing it side-ways it appears that there is a difference of about a quarter millimeter along the face of the head right where the water is coming out. I've taken the advice and contacted the parts suppliers. Hopefully something will come up.