Yet another issue

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Yet another issue

Have you done any of what I suggested?
IE, run the engine, pull the plugs immediately & see if any water comes out of the cylinders?.......
Water can get in the combustion chamber through an open exhaust valve & seep past the rings, (slowly).......
Especially with those compresion #'s....
You are getting close to a rebuild.......​

 

[cheburashka]

Re: Yet another issue

If the pressure test shows that you have a leak, and the water isn't coming out anywhere on the outside of the engine, you either have an internal leak or a leak that's covered up by the bell housing. It could be the head gasket as you thought earlier. When you were listening for leaks, how far did you go? You need to listen inside the rocker cover, and it probably wouldn't hurt to pull the plugs and drop a hose into each cylinder and put it up against your ear to see if you can hear any hissing. I'm not at all sure where there are vulnerabilities on the inside of the water jacket. Maybe someone else will know. If it were me, I'd do as Haut Medoc says and check the plugs after you've run it to see if there is a water leak. If there is, it's slight. It could be a crack in the block right around the head, or a bad head gasket. Head gaskets are pretty cheap, and chances are that the engine has never had a new one. It might be a good idea to pull the head and replace the head gasket, and inspect the surface where the head mates to the block to see if there are any cracks or irregularities.

 

[capthook]

Re: Yet another issue

Have you done any of what I suggested?
IE, run the engine, pull the plugs immediately & see if any water comes out of the cylinders?.......
Water can get in the combustion chamber through an open exhaust valve & seep past the rings, (slowly).......
Especially with those compresion #'s....
You are getting close to a rebuild.......​

Yes, I have done this and the plugs were dry and tan looking.

 

[capthook]

Re: Yet another issue

If the pressure test shows that you have a leak, and the water isn't coming out anywhere on the outside of the engine, you either have an internal leak or a leak that's covered up by the bell housing. It could be the head gasket as you thought earlier. When you were listening for leaks, how far did you go? You need to listen inside the rocker cover, and it probably wouldn't hurt to pull the plugs and drop a hose into each cylinder and put it up against your ear to see if you can hear any hissing. I'm not at all sure where there are vulnerabilities on the inside of the water jacket. Maybe someone else will know. If it were me, I'd do as Haut Medoc says and check the plugs after you've run it to see if there is a water leak. If there is, it's slight. It could be a crack in the block right around the head, or a bad head gasket. Head gaskets are pretty cheap, and chances are that the engine has never had a new one. It might be a good idea to pull the head and replace the head gasket, and inspect the surface where the head mates to the block to see if there are any cracks or irregularities.

I pressurized the block several times and could not hear anything. I also did the soap and water with it as well and did not get anything. I have been running the engine almost everyday on land with the muffs and still have the same oil level and clean oil. Should I pull the engine out now and save myself the grief and just do a rebuild on this old 73' or continue with the troubleshooting? Where could I start looking for a engine rebuild kit? Thanks again.

 

[capthook]

Re: Yet another issue

I also forgot to mention that my air hose got stuck on and it got about 30 PSI on it, bug oh oooo! Even then though I still did not hear any leaks.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Yet another issue

At this point I would run it & keep an eye on the oil......
You do not need a rebuild yet......
But you are getting there......
Under 100#'s is the threshold.......
It's possible the little bit of water is condensation.....
But if it will not hold 15# something is leaking...
You did not mention if you had pulled the riser & checked the mating surfaces.....
It's will cost you your time & an eight dollar gasket, to verify that there is no leak at that location......​

 

[Coors]

Re: Yet another issue

But something is leaking still; is it the engine or the hoses, or the adaptor, or the gauge...
You can't leave this until you find the leak.

 

[capthook]

Re: Yet another issue

I agree something is leaking. I thought the same things. I thought to myself OK this is a 73 engine and has seen better days since before I got it. The gaskets have probably never been changed and so on a so fourth. So here is my proposal as long as it is in consensus with all experts here. I run it normal and keep an eye on it.... a very close eye, and see what happens with the oil and things, or I do a rebuild and what until next year.

 

[capthook]

Re: Yet another issue

At this point I would run it & keep an eye on the oil......
You do not need a rebuild yet......
But you are getting there......
Under 100#'s is the threshold.......
It's possible the little bit of water is condensation.....
But if it will not hold 15# something is leaking...
You did not mention if you had pulled the riser & checked the mating surfaces.....
It's will cost you your time & an eight dollar gasket, to verify that there is no leak at that location......​

No I have not done this yet. I will though. I have no problem trying things. I don't want to be driving a boat waiting to die. I want to be able to get this up to par and keep it there until Im ready to sell and upgrade. I am having to much fun learning about my engine at this point to get another boat. I would rather have a basket case to learn on then a newer boat to spoil me. Once I feel comfortable with this boat then maybe I will upgrade.

 

[Coors]

Re: Yet another issue

I agree, I was not used to I/O until last year. I have learned a ton of info in here, and like you, I want to know everything, in case of a break-down on the water.

 

[Coors]

Re: Yet another issue

But, I still think water -absorbing foam should be out-lawed. I'm down deep in the cuddy floor of a fourwinns right now.

 

[capthook]

Re: Yet another issue

Well I will probably, just for safe measures; pull the head, manifold and risers and replace all the gaskets and inspect all the surfaces and inners for any signs off break down, I mean really what is another 2-3 hours of inspection rather the 2-3 hours of oaring a vessel up stream with the BOSS sitting in back drinking a nice cold beer telling you "I told you so" LOL

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Yet another issue

Pulling the riser is one thing, it should not change any thing with respect to performance if it is not leaking.....
Perform all of the tests before teardown.....
Then you can isolate what is the problem now, not when you have added variables.....
Such as if ya didn't have a vacuum leak, but now you do because of improper reinstall.....
Try to isolate the problem before teardown with diagnostic testing.....
A full tune up, & a vacuum test should be performed before teardown.....
Don't create new problems before diagnosing the present ones....​

 

[capthook]

Re: Yet another issue

Gotcha. I will continue with what I have and trace down the issues. Thanks Greatly!

 

[Coors]

Re: Yet another issue

water tow trucks are expensive, and getting broad-sided by big waves, due to no power is dangerous.
Buy a sock, and throw it in storage.

 

[cheburashka]

Re: Yet another issue

If it were me, I'd do the head gasket. There was freeze damage at some point, and it may very well have breached one of the dividers and allowed water to flow into an oil passage. It's Less than fifty bucks in parts, and not a lot of time, plus you'll have a chance to visually inspect the manifold for leaks and do a water test on it. If the head gasket doesn't fix the problem, you'd be better off buying a rebuilt engine than messing around with one that has a known cracked block.

 

[capthook]

Re: Yet another issue

I have ordered the gaskets from mercstuff. In the meantime I went ahead and rebuilt my Rochester carb. I had a rebuild kit from last year that I was going to put on due to a big acceleration hesitation. When I removed all the parts I found that the check valve was seized at the bottom of the acceleration pump. I got that out and continued to rebuild. After rebuilding I put it back on the boat and got it running. I gave her a good hole shoot simulation and it revved without backfiring or bogging. I went to do it again and it started the same thing. So I tore off the top and found that the check valve had come out of the hole. I then noticed that the acceleration spring they gave me was too big, and the one that was in there was too small. So I got a spring from my old Rochester "Car" carb and out it in and it was a perfect match. I reattached everything and now it will accelerate without any hesitation. So at least I have one thing out of the way while I wait for the new parts to arrive. Just thought I would share some good news

 

[capthook]

Re: Yet another issue

OK update. I put on all the gaskets and torqued accordingly. NO LEAKING. Thanks everyone for all the help.