Tried to take the boat out yesterday, launched it at the ramp but engine wouldn't start. It cranked but the battery seemed to be too drained to start the boat. Switched to the second battery. A brand new Interstate boat battery. Still wouldn't crank. I thought perhaps the brand new battery just didn't have a good enough charge. Put the boat back on the trailer and brought it home. Good thing it's a short drive. Pulled the port side spark plugs today and all four cylinders had at least some water in them with #3 having the most. I remember seeing the port side exhaust riser leak a small dribble of water when I first got the engine running after the engine swap. It is a 5.7L Cobra drive. 1988. I meant to install a new gasket but forgot about the leak until today. After draining the water the engine cranks over again as it should. I don't think there was any damage to the engine. My question is about the riser gasket. Could that failed gasket be a sign that the manifolds are just too old to be used or could it simply be just a failed gasket? I don't see any cracks or other sign of abnormal wear and tear on the manifold.
