Long story short: I have a twin engine boat with two the rare cone clutch outdrives. I tried my best to do my research before buying, but failed in my identification of this unit. I couldn't get a local mechanic to return my calls for an inspection, and surveyors wanted more than half of what I paid for the boat (not much) just to take a look. All that is behind me at this point. I have the boat and want to get the most use out of it possible until it comes time to junk/donate/repower it. I've posted on another forum, but some Googling led me here. It seems like there might be some users here with a good amount of experience and wisdom regarding these drives (I could use both.) Serial number 574APEPWS. I think the good news if there is any is that I have 5.7s, which seem to be easier to locate parts for. Here's an album with photos of the drive and engine.
https://imgur.com/a/7Bq62
Over the summer, I lost an impeller. I had the marina replace it. I think they're well meaning, but inexperienced with these units. The drive ran, but would overheat often, settling into the 200-220 range before it leveled out. Eventually I determined it was taking in air. I think they installed a standard Cobra housing instead of the one meant for the King. I rigged a 12v Harbor Freight special pump from the AC water intake to the engine to get by and enjoyed the fall. The engine seemed to run well enough with this setup.
It sounds like the easiest path for these drives is to replace the pump with a crankshaft mounted water pump. I'll do that while she's in storage for the winter. It sounds like some have gone with through hull water pickups while some have removed the impeller and had the pump pull water through the outdrive. I'm thinking the through hull option is superior in every way except for the fact that you have to punch a hole in the boat. Is this a fair assessment? Am I going to chew up impellers if I try to use the existing plumbing?
Beyond that, what is best practice to keep my drives in the best possible condition? Obviously I will change the oil and lubricate everything that is easily accessible. I've been hesitant to remove the drives for inspection as it sounds like the seal kits would be difficult to find. Could I possibly use sheet gasket material to cut my own seals, or is there more to it than that?
https://imgur.com/a/7Bq62
Over the summer, I lost an impeller. I had the marina replace it. I think they're well meaning, but inexperienced with these units. The drive ran, but would overheat often, settling into the 200-220 range before it leveled out. Eventually I determined it was taking in air. I think they installed a standard Cobra housing instead of the one meant for the King. I rigged a 12v Harbor Freight special pump from the AC water intake to the engine to get by and enjoyed the fall. The engine seemed to run well enough with this setup.
It sounds like the easiest path for these drives is to replace the pump with a crankshaft mounted water pump. I'll do that while she's in storage for the winter. It sounds like some have gone with through hull water pickups while some have removed the impeller and had the pump pull water through the outdrive. I'm thinking the through hull option is superior in every way except for the fact that you have to punch a hole in the boat. Is this a fair assessment? Am I going to chew up impellers if I try to use the existing plumbing?
Beyond that, what is best practice to keep my drives in the best possible condition? Obviously I will change the oil and lubricate everything that is easily accessible. I've been hesitant to remove the drives for inspection as it sounds like the seal kits would be difficult to find. Could I possibly use sheet gasket material to cut my own seals, or is there more to it than that?