Found two leaks - thoughts?

[turner24]

Hi all,

I have a 1973 455 Oldsmobile big block w/ a Berkeley Jet Drive - The boat has been sitting for a few years. The guy I bought it from said the motor was rebuilt and he installed a new carburetor. The motor runs great w/ a hose attached (no leaks). However, yesterday, I dipped the transom in the water and this is what happened:

(looks like there's leakage where the bell housing connects to the block)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTkbNhBG2Fc

(major leak around the bowl of the jet drive)
Jet Drive Leak (transom housing) - YouTube

I spoke to a technical rep for Berkeley Jet Drives and he said silicon will stop the leak around the bowl and the transom housing. Then he said the water leakage around the bell housing could be a couple things such as the flywheel flipping water around or the freeze plugs could be shot. The leak around the bell housing makes me nervous because I don't know what it could be. If there's bad freeze plugs how hard are they to get too?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Found two leaks - thoughts?

Hi all,

I have a 1973 455 Oldsmobile big block w/ a Berkeley Jet Drive - The boat has been sitting for a few years. The guy I bought it from said the motor was rebuilt and he installed a new carburetor. The motor runs great w/ a hose attached (no leaks). However, yesterday, I dipped the transom in the water and this is what happened:

(looks like there's leakage where the bell housing connects to the block)
Jet Drive Leak - YouTube

(major leak around the bowl of the jet drive)
Jet Drive Leak (transom housing) - YouTube

I spoke to a technical rep for Berkeley Jet Drives and he said silicon will stop the leak around the bowl and the transom housing. Then he said the water leakage around the bell housing could be a couple things such as the flywheel flipping water around or the freeze plugs could be shot. The leak around the bell housing makes me nervous because I don't know what it could be. If there's bad freeze plugs how hard are they to get too?

Ayuh,.... I agree,... Sounds like it Froze with water in the block, 'n blew out the rear core plugs,...

They're behind the flywheel,... ya gotta pull the motor,...

 

[turner24]

Re: Found two leaks - thoughts?

Ayuh,.... I agree,... Sounds like it Froze with water in the block, 'n blew out the rear core plugs,...

They're behind the flywheel,... ya gotta pull the motor,...

Before dipping the boat in the water I connected a garden hose and had it running without any leaks. Could it be the water in the bilge causing it to spray all over?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Found two leaks - thoughts?

Before dipping the boat in the water I connected a garden hose and had it running without any leaks. Could it be the water in the bilge causing it to spray all over?

Ayuh,.... Could be,.... Those pumps tend to over-pressure the coolin' systems too...

 

[turner24]

Re: Found two leaks - thoughts?

Good news fellas! I sealed up the leak around the bowl of the jet drive. The flywheel must of been the thing spraying water everywhere from the inside because there's no more leakage or spray-age. I'm pumped! - been working on the boat for over a year and finally gonna take it out here soon.