ToddfromCA
Cadet
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2009
- Messages
- 14
Re: Ford 351W, starter clunks but doesn't spin flywheel
yeah no worries
Just to clarify, the mani/head gasket changed only twice, I'm on the third one now.
If by "dealt with" you mean fixed, I really wish I knew. If by "dealt with" you mean pulled apart, investigated for the integrity of the metal, assessed, and replaced parts as recommended...I can assure you that it was by a trained professional.
makes sense to me
Nope, sorry for making it sound that way. Each of the two times I blew and exhaust gasket, the riser and manifolds were pulled, inspected, cleaned up, and tested for the integrity of the metal....more on this in a sec
Yes I understand, he does test them...more below
Million dollar question, again I wish I knew that. I hate throwing money at preventative maintenance that doesn't work and keeps me off the water right in the middle of our lobster season....
**Testing** Each of the two times the exhaust gaskets blew we did the math of there shouldn't be water here to begin with. As I've been taught, we pulled risers and inspected. My mechanic is notorious for quoting that "90% of marine engine failures come from water intrusion, if you keep the water out, your motor will last a long time." He says it so dang much that I have to stop him mid sentence and remind him I'm already a subscriber to John's marine gospel, no need to preach to the converted! LOL
Anyway, he usually calls me out when he has the risers or mani's pulled and has me take a look at them with him. He takes a ballpeen (sp?) hammer and tests the edges of the metal, especially around the water passages to make sure 1)there not clogged and 2)the metal is not "punking out" as he calls it. He tells me that you absolutely can't put these things on a boat if you don't have clean metal. If its weak, chipped, heavily pitted, etc its going to give out and cause major issues.
After this point if everything looks ok it goes on the boat. If not, and it seems like its usually is not, he'll tell me what we can do. Either replace or machine down. I've gone replace I think everytime as I consider it cheap insurance.
I've seen him use a straight edse or something to make sure both surfaces are flat. If its flat, the metal is in good shape, and the passages are clear.....I think this would pass his test but don't quote me, it still may be more complicated.
Oops, didn't mean it to sound that way, should be 3rd but I know what you mean.
For reference,
1st exahaust gasket blowout - inspected risers/manifolds and I was told they looked great. We cleaned up, put back on with new gaskets and they lasted just months leading to
2nd exhauset gasket blowout - same procedure and he said the risers didn't look awful but are getting close, probably the culprit for the little bit of drippage. After he checked the engine for damage, I was told the manifolds looked good but because of their age, 1.75 years or so, we should change them next year for sure which leads me to now...
Engine seized up....so obviously we missed something!
don't worry about it, I've been a little cranky myself....see above story
If you want to see them I'd be more than happy to post pics.
yeah no worries
Just to clarify, the mani/head gasket changed only twice, I'm on the third one now.
If by "dealt with" you mean fixed, I really wish I knew. If by "dealt with" you mean pulled apart, investigated for the integrity of the metal, assessed, and replaced parts as recommended...I can assure you that it was by a trained professional.
makes sense to me
Nope, sorry for making it sound that way. Each of the two times I blew and exhaust gasket, the riser and manifolds were pulled, inspected, cleaned up, and tested for the integrity of the metal....more on this in a sec
Yes I understand, he does test them...more below
Million dollar question, again I wish I knew that. I hate throwing money at preventative maintenance that doesn't work and keeps me off the water right in the middle of our lobster season....
**Testing** Each of the two times the exhaust gaskets blew we did the math of there shouldn't be water here to begin with. As I've been taught, we pulled risers and inspected. My mechanic is notorious for quoting that "90% of marine engine failures come from water intrusion, if you keep the water out, your motor will last a long time." He says it so dang much that I have to stop him mid sentence and remind him I'm already a subscriber to John's marine gospel, no need to preach to the converted! LOL
Anyway, he usually calls me out when he has the risers or mani's pulled and has me take a look at them with him. He takes a ballpeen (sp?) hammer and tests the edges of the metal, especially around the water passages to make sure 1)there not clogged and 2)the metal is not "punking out" as he calls it. He tells me that you absolutely can't put these things on a boat if you don't have clean metal. If its weak, chipped, heavily pitted, etc its going to give out and cause major issues.
After this point if everything looks ok it goes on the boat. If not, and it seems like its usually is not, he'll tell me what we can do. Either replace or machine down. I've gone replace I think everytime as I consider it cheap insurance.
I've seen him use a straight edse or something to make sure both surfaces are flat. If its flat, the metal is in good shape, and the passages are clear.....I think this would pass his test but don't quote me, it still may be more complicated.
Oops, didn't mean it to sound that way, should be 3rd but I know what you mean.
For reference,
1st exahaust gasket blowout - inspected risers/manifolds and I was told they looked great. We cleaned up, put back on with new gaskets and they lasted just months leading to
2nd exhauset gasket blowout - same procedure and he said the risers didn't look awful but are getting close, probably the culprit for the little bit of drippage. After he checked the engine for damage, I was told the manifolds looked good but because of their age, 1.75 years or so, we should change them next year for sure which leads me to now...
Engine seized up....so obviously we missed something!
don't worry about it, I've been a little cranky myself....see above story
If you want to see them I'd be more than happy to post pics.
