1989 SeaRay 4.3/V6 mercruiser Alpha1 clunking stop on the water and now starter spins

While out running in the water (it was rough) we hit some larger wakes and the engine made a loud clunk and shut off instantly. When I attempted to start the engine again the starter just spins. One attempt it engaged a bit, but it made an abnormal clunking sound, so my attempts stopped and I called for a tow... ($1,100 OUCH!....22 miles off coast)... Needless to say she is an old boat and would love to get some opinions on a potential fix or if its over as its not cost effective to repair.. I have had the motor rebuilt once and replaced the heads once. I maintain the engine well and have it serviced every summer. I will be taking it to my mechanic, but if its too much of a large repair I might have to "send her out to sea"... I took some pix of what I see is a new break/crack. If anyone has any familiarity with this, I would love to hear some opinions... Thanks in advance..

Re: 1989 SeaRay 4.3/V6 mercruiser Alpha1 clunking stop on the water and now starter s

Pull the outdrive and see if the engine will turn over. Outdrive failure is a lot more common that engine failure.

Re: 1989 SeaRay 4.3/V6 mercruiser Alpha1 clunking stop on the water and now starter s

judging by the photo something came loose under the flywheel cover and blasted aorund enough the break the cover and who knows what else in there

time to pull the engine and have a look in there

Re: 1989 SeaRay 4.3/V6 mercruiser Alpha1 clunking stop on the water and now starter s

Wow, I must be blind. ......... I looked at that picture and didn't even notice the hole

Re: 1989 SeaRay 4.3/V6 mercruiser Alpha1 clunking stop on the water and now starter s

Thank you guys... I will take it to my mechanic and see what the damage is..

The motor cranks but sounds really clunky..

Re: 1989 SeaRay 4.3/V6 mercruiser Alpha1 clunking stop on the water and now starter s

Ok, just tried to start it in the the driveway and peered into the crack in the flywheel cover.. I saw some chunks of something rattling around when my son tried to start it.

What could be loose and tatting around in there that would cause it to crack the shroud housing?

...more importantly, what is the best case senario and what is the worst?..

Thanks,

Don