mercruiser problem

[hudman]

i have a 97 rinker fiesta v33 266 with a 350 mercruiser, non vortec, 260 hp and brovo 2 outdrive. the motor has been getting water into the cylinders, center 2 on dr side, to the point that it will lock up. no water in oil, after removing and replacing plugs, the rpm picks up to normal about 4800, but drops within one tank of gas 75 gal. i assume its either a cracked head or blown head gasket, hours and history on motor are unknown... i am concerned about the unrealibility, and considering just replacing the engine with a vortec longblock.... any forseeable problems? ill buy a vortec 350 with the intake , carb, and ignition already inplace,,, and also replace the exhaust logs and risers... any advice would be appreciated

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: mercruiser problem

Welcome to iboats. Sounds like ya got it all figured out already. Be sure to change raw water pump impeller also. Dont see any foreseeable problems. Be sure to get an alignment tool and align the engine upon instalation. Also might service drive while you have it off, new drive oil, bellows and hoses, maybe even a shift cable. <br /><br />Nuttin to do now but get er done.

 

[Don S]

Re: mercruiser problem

Could also be bad manifolds, risers, or the gasket surface between them allowing water into your cylinders. It's a lot more common than head gaskets blowing.

 

[Trent]

Re: mercruiser problem

Im with Don... Replace the manifolds and the risers...or at least have them pressure checked. As was said.... More common than blown head gaskets. And if they are the orginals manifolds and risers its time to change them anyway.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: mercruiser problem

hud, I third the bad manifolds. Manifolds are always the FIRST (and second and third) thing to check when you are getting water in a marine engine. If you post again and state that the problem seems to happen after you shut the motor down, I'll bet you the title to your boat that it's the manifolds. As a matter of fact, I am so sure now that I'll bet you a quarter (I can only afford to lose 5 cents)! You don't have nearly as much work ahead of you as you think.<br />But if you decide to just remove that engine, let me know, I'll be very interested in buying it.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: mercruiser problem

and also replace the exhaust logs and risers... any advice would be appreciated

My advice? Read the posts above. <br /><br />Seriously, I do agree with the above writers. But since your original plan was to replace the manifolds and risers anyway, why not do that first with the existing engine, and then, if it still gives you problems, you can buy the new long block.

 

[hudman]

Re: mercruiser problem

thats not a bad idea,,,, no way can the new manifolds get hurt by running themon the old engine... this motor gets enough water in it to lock it up, but is easily freed by removing the spark plugs and turning it over. the fact that the rpms pick back up ,and then do a slow slide down to about 3200 before locking up again, tells me the water is whats slowing it down. the fact that there is no milky oil tells me that the rings/chlinders are still pretty good<br />ill try that before going the vortec route, ive just tuned this motor up, shouldnt need anything else...<br />hud

 

[hudman]

Re: mercruiser problem

any Idea who has the best exhaust/riser combo? im looking at perfProTech, they have a ceramic coated set that is about $520 complete, with a 3 yr warranty... would you replace the bolts also? what about a resonator for the exhaust, do they go bad, and how much do they help in backwash??<br />thanks in advance<br />hud

 

[Don S]

Re: mercruiser problem

Im not sure what you mean by "Resonator", but below is a picture of the REST of the exhaust system other than the manifolds and risers.<br />The exhaust shutters (#7) may be bad and any of the hoses may be bad. You're just going to have to inspect them when you take it apart. Nothing in the elbow (#3) or Y pipe should be bad on a 97 engine.<br /><br />

 

[hudman]

Re: mercruiser problem

Yes, that is what mercruiser calls a resonator. saw some for sale today on e bay, didnt realize they were in the exhaust until then. however, the last time my boat quit, it was under full throttle, so a back wash problem is not there

 

[Don S]

Re: mercruiser problem

Someone selling them on ebay may call them resonators, but Mercruiser doesn't call anything that. Which number in my parts picture are you calling a resonator?

 

[hudman]

Re: mercruiser problem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merc...ryZ50442QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting <br /><br />If I hadnt read it, i wouldnt have believed it<br />Hud

 

[Don S]

Re: mercruiser problem

That is for the thru the transom exhaust, and has nothing to do with the through the prop exhaust I have shown.<br />Besides that, the ones pictured are for a 454 and 502 engine, not a 350.<br />Which do you have?