Engine Overheating + Other issues

[VolunteerBoater22]

Hey all,

I recently had an external engine block crack. We fixed that, but I figured replacing the impeller would be a good idea as well. I read as much as I could beforehand, but didn't see the advice about putting the throttle into forward before taking off and putting the lower unit back on. Once I got the lower unit back on, the boat would not go into gear. It would die as soon as it was put into gear. I tightened the throttle cable and fixed that problem. However, I've noticed that when I have the engine off and the throttle in gear the prop will turn both directions. It will click while turning in one direction and just spin freely in the other. I know the prop is supposed to only spin in one direction while in forward and vice versa in reverse. Did I potentially create more problems? Is there a way to fix it if I did? The boat will go into gear, but I haven't taken to the water yet due to my next problem.

The engine is also still overheating. I have checked the water coming into the engine and it's fine. The engine is overheating even while on earmuffs. Once I see it creeping north of 180-185 I shut it off. There isn't much water leaving the engine so I'm wondering if this is the problem and how to go about fixing it.

Thanks for your input. Learning as I go with this one.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... What motor, what drive, 'n 'bout what year are ya workin' on,..??

 

[VolunteerBoater22]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... What motor, what drive, 'n 'bout what year are ya workin' on,..??

My fault, completely neglected to mention that part. It's a 3.0 Mercruiser Alpha One. Boat is a 2001 Stingray 180.

 

[Bt Doctur]

you mis-assembled something , drop the lower and find out what you did.
Were you in F at the control box and lower unit ?

 

[VolunteerBoater22]

you mis-assembled something , drop the lower and find out what you did.
Were you in F at the control box and lower unit ?

I wasn't in forward when I took it apart. I didn't realize that you were supposed to be at the time.

 

[VolunteerBoater22]

Quick question. I'm going to take the outdrive off again. I didn't put in forward gear when I took it off and put it back on last time. Should I leave it in neutral and take it off and then put it on in forward before I put it back on, or should I take it off and put it on in forward gear?

 

[nola mike]

Put it in fwd

 

[Bt Doctur]

if the shifter cant be moved and you are droping just the lower , just unbolt it .mounting a complete drive it must be in fwd.
When doing just a lower put the control box in full fwd. you do this because with the lower placed in fwd gear you can turn the prop CCW about an inch to line up the spline. having it in neutral and you cant turn the shaft to line it up.

 

[nola mike]

He said removing the out drive, so that's what I was going on. Although it isn't clear what exactly he did originally.

 

[harringtondav]

I recommend anyone attempting any Mercruiser repair get a Merc. Service Manual. Ebay offers a CD for $9, Merc. sells their Stern Drive manual for $90. I bought #14 and #18 hard copies with my 4.3 LX Alpha Gen 2. One little screw up can easily pay for the cost of these books.