1976 Evinrude 35HP water leaking from front of exhaust housing?

[mct75]

I have a quick question. I have a 1976 Evinrude 35HP. It seems to run fine, and does not overheat (cylinder head temps are around 130 F). A fine water mist comes from the exhaust relief ports at the rear of the motor and I understand this is normal.

However, this motor has two large (~5/8") holes at the front of the exhaust housing, close to the lower unit and just above the lowest motor mount. When the engine is running, a tremendous amount of water comes from these holes. I can't find any documentation about what these holes are for, and whether water is supposed to come from them. Everything I read says some water comes from the relief ports, some from the tell-tell (I don't have one) and the rest from the hub exhaust. Nothing seems to mention these holes and water coming from them. The water pump has been serviced and definitely gets water up into the head, so I'm thinking maybe there is a gasket (perhaps the one between the power head and exhaust housing) that is shot?

Many thanks in advance, and I can provide a video tomorrow the next time I run it.

 

[jimmbo]

Welcome to iboats

Those are Drains for the Exhaust Housing(Exhaust Housing is filled with water, to cool the Exhaust Tube, and to silence the Motor), water coming out of them is normal. You usually don't see it when in a boat, cause a low speed they are under water, and at speed, most people aren't sticking their Heads back behind the Transom.

 

[F_R]

More specifically, they are drains from the drive shaft isolation tube. Normal an necessary.

 

[mct75]

Very cool, thank you! I had read plenty about the exhaust relief ports, but nothing about any holes on the front of the motor.

Here's a pic of it at idle running in a bucket, I wasn't expecting water to come from there!