1993 mercruiser 4.3LX Alpha1 gen2, has a tapping noise that increases with rpm in the flywheel area. Was hard to steer and then engine bound up at dock the next day. Burnt starter as engine tried to turn over but had a bind. Installed new starter and after a few trys bind broke loose and engine turned over and ran fine. I had been turning engine by hand but it was difficult to turn. Engine runs good but has a tapping noise at the flywheel area. It almost sounds like a piston rod slap. I pulled the outdrive and fluid milky with no metal. Big gimbal rubber seal broke into chuncks and was in the bellows. Water was also in the bellows. I am able to turn the gimbal bearing with my fingers. The ujoints look fine and move freely. The engine still tapps after I removed the outdrive and ran engine with water at inlet at thermo housing. . What else could be tapping aft of the rear oil seal? I know i got to replace the gimbal bearing, ujoints and seals.
