Surprise! When I took off cyl. head...

[27E_20]

Got a nasty surprise today when I removed the STBD cylinder head. I used a can of OMC engine tuner when I first bought this boat (2yrs ago). Other than that, no decarbing- thought that was enough. Boat is rarely used anyway.

What would be the best method to remove all of this carbon from the pistons? Looks like a pretty decent layer.

Scotch Brite pad? Scotch Brite sanding disk? S.S. brush?

 

[F_R]

Re: Surprise! When I took off cyl. head...

Nasty surprise???? I wouldn't call it that. Looks perfectly normal.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Surprise! When I took off cyl. head...

I was going to say, that looks pretty good, lol. That should clean up with ease. Not even enough to scrape at!@

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Surprise! When I took off cyl. head...

Echoing the above comments - Looks great. I would only try to remove it if the pistons were coming out, otherwise no worry.

 

[boobie]

Re: Surprise! When I took off cyl. head...

Agree with all of the above +1..........

 

[27E_20]

Re: Surprise! When I took off cyl. head...

...seriously? I thought you were supposed to see shiny steel... So maybe just the seafoam treatment?

 

[boobie]

Re: Surprise! When I took off cyl. head...

Looks like normal motor operation. if you see shinny steel you have water injestion .

 

[hall832]

Re: Surprise! When I took off cyl. head...

Why did you take the head? Did you do a compression check? What was the result.

 

[27E_20]

Re: Surprise! When I took off cyl. head...

Why did you take the head? Did you do a compression check? What was the result.

Funny you should ask... While I was attempting this whole thermostat upgrade, one of the bolts for the thermostat cover broke off. And when I say "broke off", I mean this thing seized up so bad- twisted the head of the bolt right off with hardly any effort. Doing this left a little nub protruding- just enough to get a pair of mini-channel locks on, but wouldn't turn. Tried heat, tried penetrating oil, this bolt is pretty much welded to the cyl. head.

So today I get my extractor set from work and begin to drill out the bolt. Drilled through bolt flawlessly and should have kept drilling and just used a heli-coil but got curious and tried the extractor instead. Extractor snapped off like a twig almost immediately. So now there is a seized bolt with broken extractor in said hole, which led to me removing the head in order for more extreme measures to be followed. So there you go- long story short.

 

[boobie]

Re: Surprise! When I took off cyl. head...

That's why I threw my E-Z outs and screw extractors away a long time ago. LOL.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Surprise! When I took off cyl. head...

Screw extractors make good gifts for guys that fish in your decoys on opening day of duck season. :grumpy:
On a positive note, your motor looks to be in great shape now!
JBJ

 

[Jetfixr]

Re: Surprise! When I took off cyl. head...

Oh, that sucks....When you get to that point, let a pro deal with it, take it to a shop....
Jet

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Surprise! When I took off cyl. head...

If ya need a head pm me....

 

[27E_20]

Re: Surprise! When I took off cyl. head...

Thanks Faztbullet, but a machinist buddy of mine bailed me out. I just hope it still makes a seal. Will find out as soon as the head gaskets get here.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Surprise! When I took off cyl. head...

Thanks Faztbullet, but a machinist buddy of mine bailed me out.....

Good deal. Hopefully you'll be back on the lake soon. Everything else working out with that engine?

 

[27E_20]

Re: Surprise! When I took off cyl. head...

Good deal. Hopefully you'll be back on the lake soon. Everything else working out with that engine?

Still need to learn how to do a few more things, but we shall see. Got a fishing trip planned for KY Lake next week so HOPEFULLY it will run like it should. Otherwise we will be renting a pontoon or some other ragged-out POS :facepalm: - (or be out of a deposit). Man, I hate it when it comes down to the last minute like this.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Surprise! When I took off cyl. head...

In your first post you said "Scotch Brite pad? Scotch Brite sanding disk? S.S. brush? " All of these are a big NO-NO. Clean the gasket surfaces only - I use an old dull army knife to carefully scrape off any of the old gasket material before installing new gaskets. Leave the pistons alone.

 

[27E_20]

Re: Surprise! When I took off cyl. head...

...Clean the gasket surfaces only

Solittle: Are those items NO NO's just for the cylinders, or can I use them on the gasket surfaces (head and block)? Would be using a scotch brite pad (red one: ultra fine). Not exactly sanding the surface (removing metal), just removing old gasket sealant and other gunk.

 

[27E_20]

Re: Surprise! When I took off cyl. head...

Update:

Well I have finally got the motor running again after this whole fiasco. Installed a new temp gauge and took it out for a wide open spin. Took a while for the engine to reach 140 degrees, but the water was pretty cold. Everyone was right about this thermostat upgrade; it runs a little hot at idle (146-150), but man when you take off on plane, the temp DROPS! Water pressure gauge almost pegs out, also. (Never did that before-with old setup)