Exhaust not connect to outdrive?

[Bayliner 1975]

I recently purchased a 1975 Bayliner with a Mercruiser 165. I have discovered that the exhaust is not connected to the outdrive - the hose/connection is missing from the exhaust manifold to the out drive. If I can get the engine started, does anyone know if I can run for a short time this way? Will the cooling water just go gown to bilge and out the drain plug?

 

[Scott Danforth]

no, you want to replace that long before you start the motor. also, based on your other threads, you will want to pull the motor out get it on a stand to work on it as you may be rebuilding the motor anyway. at that point, you just run it on the stand.

 

[Bayliner 1975]

Thank you Scott. Today I connected a battery and bumped the engine. I am certain the whole outdrive will need to be pulled and worked on. Before that happens I was hoping to see if I could get the engine started. So I could not connect a hose from the exhaust and direct it all the way down to the bilge bilge and the water would drain out the drain plug? I have attached a picture of where the exhaust if disconnected.

I think the previous owner had a cooling problem/out drive problem I found a cooling pump in one of the part boxes that came with boat (it looks new). The hydraulic hose is disconnected. The water hose intake house is disconnected. I have seen videos where they have attached a garden hose at the intake for cooling water. I was planning on doing this and have the exhaust run the bilge to see if I can get the engine started. Unless you think this is bad idea. This is of course after I check the compression, change the spark plugs, points, condenser, etc. .