'69 105hp - water pump/thermostat

[Saltzman]

To preface, I'm fairly mechanically inclined but am pretty new to boats--especially outboards. In the process of helping a friend find a I/O to repower his project boat I happened upon a '69 Chrysler Sport Fury with a 105hp outbaord for $350 and took the plunge...

It wasn't running when I bought it, but compression was decent (~120psi on all cylinders) and the lower unit seems OK (no water/milkiness/etc). I cleaned the carbs, put on a new primer bulb and some hose clamps to ensure air-tight fittings on the fuel line, cleaned/adjusted the points, and set the distributor up as described in the Chrysler service manual I purhcased from chryslercrew.com. So as of this morning it runs. My question, though, is in relation to water flow--like I said I'm new to boats.

When I had it running it didn't seem like much water was coming back out the exhaust or upper water outlet. I didn't have it running very long--is that normal if the engine isn't up to temperature yet? It was also mainly running at idle/fast idle... I throttled it up once but after discovering how loud it was decided it may be best to back it down so I didn't **** off any neighbors.

I understand the water pump is somewhat of a maintenance item and isn't terribly expensive to change. However, I would like to get it on the water once to make sure everything seems operable before pumping much money in it... just would like to know what to expect and what precautions I should take to ensure I don't get stranded in the middle of the lake the first time out or do any damage to the motor.

Thanks!

 

[eurolarva]

Re: '69 105hp - water pump/thermostat

Chryslers pee like old men with prostate problems. If water is coming out even if it is just a little you are probably okay. When motor has been running a couple of minutes maybe feel the temp of the water coming out. It should be very warm but not hot enough to burn you. If the water is lake temp you will want to shut it down. Chryslers have a water bypass so if the Thermostat or other parts of the water system are plugged the bypass will kick it out.

 

[Saltzman]

Re: '69 105hp - water pump/thermostat

I just fired it up again and let it run a little longer this time. The water coming out the exhaust snout is getting warm, and I'm getting a fair flow. I'm only getting a trickle out of the hole farther up the leg, though, and it's considerably warmer. Is this all normal?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: '69 105hp - water pump/thermostat

Depends on your definition of a trickle. Yours may be different than mine. But if you are getting water out the idle relief, then it is circulating through the whole block and you should be OK. The water pump can deliver more water than the muffs can supply so typically, you don't get as much water flow in the driveway as you do on the water. However, since it is an unknown engine to you, be extra careful the first time you run it. be absolutely sure it has the overheat indicator (either a light or buzzer)and it is functioning. To test it, turn on the ignition and short the sensor on the head (orange wire connectedto it) to ground. The light should light or buzzer buzz.

When I get an engine that old, the FIRST thing I do is to set everything back to factory specs--I assume that everything is improperly adjusted. Then I change the water pump impeller. Then I try it out on the water.

Be careful when you try to change the impeller. Most times with engines that old, the four bolts holding the water pump are corroded somewhat and difficult to get out. On that lower unit, if you strip the threads, you can drill deeper and re-tap. you can even go all the way through the leg with three bolt holes. The fourth one is blocked by the vent screw so you can only go so far.Try not to snap the bolts-- it is a miserable job to drill them out.