888/188 Ford 302: smoke, water, no power, Part II.

[DonoGrosso]

Part I http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=491212&highlight=donogrosso

The maiden voyage resulted in billowing smoke from the engine, water dumping into the bilge, and a sudden loss of power in gear.

Part II. So it turns out the water pumping into the boat was due to a popped out freeze plug. :facepalm:

I also have a bad circulating pump, but that may have fried when the raw water pump failed. Which was probably due to the seller not getting the muffs on straight and not letting it fill up first (I'm new. Very new. I watched this, hesitated, then handed over hundred dollar bills. Now you can laugh).

The smoke was due to a blown exhaust manifold, the exhaust (which was probably extra hot due to 0/2 water pumps working) was melting carpet!

So ... a new OEM raw water pump and base, new aftermarket bellows, gimball bearing and OEM shift cable, new OEM exhaust manifold gasket , new aftermarket water pump, and a new fuel hose because somebody clamped a rubber hose on the original steel hose!!!

Doing most of it myself. It's in the shop now getting the gimball bearing installed (install is cheaper than the tool ... for now) and the exhaust manifold gaskets. They also threw in a freeze plug for me.

And I should be ready for the second voyage ...

And a word of advice to anyone considering a '70-'72 888 ... parts are expensive!! For example, the 3 bellows come to about $350 if you buy Merc (not a seal kit, just the bellows!), circulating pump is $261 for Merc. Luckily (I hope) aftermarket is available and affordable.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 888/188 Ford 302: smoke, water, no power, Part II.

I`d be more concerned on why the core plug was popped out, freezing is the only cause.

 

[cr2k]

Re: 888/188 Ford 302: smoke, water, no power, Part II.

Freezing is not always the culprit. I have seen them pop for no reason. Maybe bad install. Those usually are the ones behind the engine mount.

Try NAPA for Sierra Supply parts. Wow, where can you get a Gimbal installed for less then $50? That's what the tool costs on eBay.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 888/188 Ford 302: smoke, water, no power, Part II.

Well none of the parts you have mentioned so far are really specific to the 888 drive. Bellows are general Mercruiser-Alpha items, the water circulation pump is, but the price shouldn't be much different than an SBC. I'd test the old log-style exhaust manifolds for leaks if I were you. If they are original, they're probably about toast.

 

[DonoGrosso]

Re: 888/188 Ford 302: smoke, water, no power, Part II.

I`d be more concerned on why the core plug was popped out, freezing is the only cause.

I had that concern. The shop I took it too actually found the problem and then tested the motor out and said it was all solid except the relatively minor issues above. Hope they're right!

 

[DonoGrosso]

Re: 888/188 Ford 302: smoke, water, no power, Part II.

Freezing is not always the culprit. I have seen them pop for no reason. Maybe bad install. Those usually are the ones behind the engine mount.

Try NAPA for Sierra Supply parts. Wow, where can you get a Gimbal installed for less then $50? That's what the tool costs on eBay.

OK. So I thought the puller and the pounder were about $250. I learn.

 

[DonoGrosso]

Re: 888/188 Ford 302: smoke, water, no power, Part II.

Well none of the parts you have mentioned so far are really specific to the 888 drive. Bellows are general Mercruiser-Alpha items, the water circulation pump is, but the price shouldn't be much different than an SBC. I'd test the old log-style exhaust manifolds for leaks if I were you. If they are original, they're probably about toast.

What I have found in the manuals, online, and talking to my shop guy with the massive wall of Merc diplomas is this:
an 888 built post '73 is basically an Alpha. An 888 built in '70-'72 is weird little critter. The bell-housing is visibly narrower and shorter, the hinge pins are different (pull out, not screw out), the bellows are shorter, the shift cable tip is different, the gimball bearing is smaller diameter. Unless Mercury is yanking my chain and wants to charge me way more for the same part with a different number ...

Regarding the manifold. It's hard to tell what is "original" in this boat. Hull is an '80. So it's a rebuild and it appears to be relatively fresh and good quality. Shop said it ran great except for the issues above. I'm not sure exactly what testing they did though. I'll inquire today as he should be doing the gasket here any time.

 

[DonoGrosso]

Re: 888/188 Ford 302: smoke, water, no power, Part II.

And again ... Much thanks for checking in and giving me your feedback. Soon as I get it back I'll put the circ pump and new fuel lines on and then it's to the lake for test drive #2!

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 888/188 Ford 302: smoke, water, no power, Part II.

The hinge pins on most #1 drives (pre-alphas) are not the screw-in type. While I can't honestly say for sure, I really have my doubts that an 888 drive is different from most any other #1 drive aside from the gear ratio (which should be 1.5). The "888" was simply a sticker designating the powerplant/drive combo. The 898 is the Chevy counterpart of the same setup. The gimbal bearing and bellows should be standard issue Merc #1 drive parts. Again, I don't know the ins-and-outs of the 70-72, post-72 changes; it just seems like a lot of changes made for no real benefit if it's true.

 

[DonoGrosso]

Re: 888/188 Ford 302: smoke, water, no power, Part II.

The hinge pins on most #1 drives (pre-alphas) are not the screw-in type. While I can't honestly say for sure, I really have my doubts that an 888 drive is different from most any other #1 drive aside from the gear ratio (which should be 1.5). The "888" was simply a sticker designating the powerplant/drive combo. The 898 is the Chevy counterpart of the same setup. The gimbal bearing and bellows should be standard issue Merc #1 drive parts. Again, I don't know the ins-and-outs of the 70-72, post-72 changes; it just seems like a lot of changes made for no real benefit if it's true.

Sure does. And I'm so new to all of this I am having to trust the salesman