What is the normal operating range of 1990-91 OMC cobra 4.3L with closed cooling?

[ruggles]

I just had the leg off multiple times to fix my shifting problem which is fixed!!! Pretty happy about that but I noticed this weekend that when I was cruising or wot the temp on the gauge would climb to 180. Is this a normal temp? It runs excellent so no issues there. I also noticed that when I lowered the drive to store it the water draining out from behind the prop was cloudy white. Do I have a leak somewhere? like at the prop shaft seal?

Thanks!

 

[southkogs]

I would think the temp would probably spec at more like 160, but 180 would panic me. You have cloudy water coming out the exhaust or milky oil? Smell anything it it when it puddles on the ground?

 

[ruggles]

It goes close to 160 at idle. It's cloudy water from behind the prop. I haven't checked the leg oil yet. The boat is out of town and I won't be there for a few weeks but I'll pull the dipstick when I get there. I didn't replace the oil drain and fill screw o rings so that may be a problem. That's something different from the operating temp though.

 

[southkogs]

160 at idle and 180 at WOT - if it's consistent - is possibly a little high, but not scary. If it's getting over 180 at all, then it's cause for concern.

When did you last change your impeller?

 

[ruggles]

I haven't yet. I've only had the boat since the winter but I think I'll just replace it to be safe or at least have it on hand for the holidays

 

[southkogs]

Piece of mind and it'll eliminate a variable.