91 2.3 ford omc cobra water in oil

snakeman

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:confused:I Bought this boat in 2007 for a good price. I took it home and got to looking at it good .I should have done that first but it was a good friend the worst ones . .Evadently it never was winterized that year the back freeze plug was out all the way the second one was half way out the third one was fine.I then replased them hoping the best BUT. It ran good for about a hour or so no problem at all. When I got started to go to the lake I tried it before we left it had water in the oil .Please somebody tell me what to check next I took off the water jacket it looks brand new . I didn,t see no cracks or nothing that I noticed I,m not a boat mech.
 

Don S

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Re: 91 2.3 ford omc cobra water in oil

next I took off the water jacket it looks brand new

Never heard of a water jacket before. Do you mean the exhaust manifold?

If you have water in the oil (and a lot of it) and the oil is milky, then you have a cracked block.
Please somebody tell me what to check next

ebay, marine shops, marine dealer, sellers of marine motors.
Someone may have a Ford 2.3, but they are few and far between.
 

snakeman

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omc cobra 2/3 ford please help

omc cobra 2/3 ford please help

I bought a sunbird boat It had not been winterized in va., I checked it out when I got home it had the back freeze plug out the 2nd one 1/2 out the 3rd one was fine. I replaced them then let It run for a while it had no water in the oil. The next week me and my wife and kids exited to take our first boat out I let it run while they got ready then there was water in the oil what should I check the water jackets look fine .PLEASE HELP.
 

Don S

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Re: omc cobra 2/3 ford please help

Re: omc cobra 2/3 ford please help

Put both post together since they were basically the same subject.
 

snakeman

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Re: 91 2.3 ford omc cobra water in oil

Is there anyway to check it before pulling it .And is a car block the same block as a boat this is my first boat. thank you for advise.
 
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DJ

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Re: omc cobra 2/3 ford please help

Re: omc cobra 2/3 ford please help

Your 2.3 L is rated at 128 HP.

If it froze, you can bet the block/head is cracked. The good news is that 2.3L Ford blocks/heads are plentiful and cheap.

Your issue may also be with the manifold(s). They need to be replaced.
 

Don S

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Re: 91 2.3 ford omc cobra water in oil

Sure you can check it. You first have to replace the core plugs that have popped out. Even those (Useless for marine) rubber expansion plugs will work for testing, and a lot easier to install.
Then isolate the block for the rest of the raw water cooling system and pressurize it. If it doesn't hold pressure, you have a leak.
 

Don S

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Re: 91 2.3 ford omc cobra water in oil

In the picture below.
Remove the 2 hoses (indicated by the red lines) from the thermostat housing. Plug one of them and build a fitting that will fit the other hose that you can hook a hand pressure pump and gauge to.
Then when you pressureize the system, you will only be doing the block.
Of course, you could have problems with the exhaust or intake manifolds also.

23LCoolingFlow.jpg
 

snakeman

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Re: 91 2.3 ford omc cobra water in oil

I apolagize for my posting 3 times my son is trying to teach this old coutry boy the comp.On a car I have used K&w blockseal is there any way to try that Ihave done it on cars and lasted for the life of the car.
 

Bondo

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Re: 91 2.3 ford omc cobra water in oil

On a car I have used K&w blockseal is there any way to try that Ihave done it on cars and lasted for the life of the car.

Nope,...... Never Happen......
 

snakeman

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Re: 91 2.3 ford omc cobra water in oil

Is a car block the same as a marine . I am a farely good motocycle mech. and car but this is my first boat I have always wanted one now I say why.THANKS guys for putting up with dumb country boy.
 

Don S

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Re: 91 2.3 ford omc cobra water in oil

In a car engine, the water (Antifreeze) circulates and remains in the block and cooling system. In a marine engine, it's just lake water comes in, one time thru the system and gone. Any additive would be washed out immediatly.
 

snakeman

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Re: 91 2.3 ford omc cobra water in oil

I've got a 2.3 Ford motor out of a Ford ranger could I change every thing over and just us the block 7 heads or would it be diferent god bless.
 

Bondo

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Re: 91 2.3 ford omc cobra water in oil

I've got a 2.3 Ford motor out of a Ford ranger could I change every thing over and just use the block & heads or would it be different. god bless.

Ayuh,.....

I personally Don't do OMCs, nor Ford gas motors,....
But,....
There's a pretty solid Chance that your Swap will Work.......
 

snakeman

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Re: 91 2.3 ford omc cobra water in oil

I think it should be the same block to. If I get this thing right so I can get ridd of it .I won't do OMC's ever again either I'm with you on that one.. Thanks buddy if you ever need to know anything about motorcycles. email me at. lawn_art_inc AT yahoo.com
 
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Bondo

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Re: 91 2.3 ford omc cobra water in oil

Ayuh,.....

Thanks for the offer Snakeman,....
But,...
Unless you want that email address to become Useless from the Mountains of Spam that'll Fill it,....
You'd better delete it from your post,....
 
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