Water coming from rear of engine, torque converter area

[thormx11]

So we bought a boat that was missing the outdrive (supposedly stolen), its about a 95-96 model wellcraft with a 3.0l engine and alpha one outdrive. It was said to run good, just someone stole the outdrive. I just put a good outdrive on it from another boat we had that had a cracked block. I started the boat up and it started making a rattle noise from the rear of the engine, seemed to be coming from the starter, I believe the starter was hanging up (the boat had been sitting a couple years). The noise went away, but water started spraying from the back of the engine, hitting the torque converter and splashing all over. I couldn't see where exactly the water was coming from, but it seemed like maybe where the rear main seal would be.

The cover was already missing from the bottom of the bellhousing, like somebody had already been in there looking at one point. Is there anything in the back of the block in the bellhousing that could leak? Maybe a freeze plug? That could have also been my rattle if there was a plug back there that was pushed out a ways.

 

[Bondo]

So we bought a boat that was missing the outdrive (supposedly stolen), its about a 95-96 model wellcraft with a 3.0l engine and alpha one outdrive. It was said to run good, just someone stole the outdrive. I just put a good outdrive on it from another boat we had that had a cracked block. I started the boat up and it started making a rattle noise from the rear of the engine, seemed to be coming from the starter, I believe the starter was hanging up (the boat had been sitting a couple years). The noise went away, but water started spraying from the back of the engine, hitting the torque converter and splashing all over. I couldn't see where exactly the water was coming from, but it seemed like maybe where the rear main seal would be.

The cover was already missing from the bottom of the bellhousing, like somebody had already been in there looking at one point. Is there anything in the back of the block in the bellhousing that could leak? Maybe a freeze plug? That could have also been my rattle if there was a plug back there that was pushed out a ways.

Ayuh,..... You got it,..... Sounds like ya got 2 frozen 3.0ls now,..... bummer,.....

 

[thormx11]

The donor boat had a 5.7l in it.

The motor should be similar to a chevy 4 cylinder right? As for getting new plugs.

What kind of work is involved in pulling the engine to replace the plugs?

 

[Bt Doctur]

You removed a 5.7 and installed a 3.0? If I`m reading that correctly ,the drive gear ratio is wrong for the new motor and will not develop the hp needed to turn a 1.50-1 ratio not to mention making a new front motor mount and glassing it in place
Remove the drive, remove the 2 rear bolts, the front lags, raise motor, remove flywheel housing, coupler, flywheel , replace core plugs.

 

[thormx11]

You removed a 5.7 and installed a 3.0? If I`m reading that correctly ,the drive gear ratio is wrong for the new motor and will not develop the hp needed to turn a 1.50-1 ratio
Remove the drive, remove the 2 rear bolts, the front lags, raise motor, remove flywheel housing, coupler, flywheel , replace core plugs.

No no, I only removed the outdrive from the boat with a 5.7l and put it on a boat with a 3.0l in it. Both had alpha one outdrives and seemed to bolt up and work fine.

My 5.7l blew a chunk of the block out at the water jacket, I know its not fixable, so we decided to put the outdrive on the boat with the 3.0l in it and use it until we got a new 5.7l engine for our main boat.

I'll take a better look at it in the morning, it doesn't sound like a whole lot of work to pull the engine.

Will everything have to be disconnected/unhooked or could I just raise the engine and pull it forward enough to tap a new plug in it?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Like I said, the 5.7 uses a 1.50 ratio, the 3.0 uses a 1.98 or a 2-1 ratio. 130hp cant turn a 1.50 ratio drive properly
You have to pull the drive first, then pull the motor. If you simply slide it forward you will have to pull the engine again to replace the coupler that went out from gross mis-alignment

 

[H20Rat]

Those aren't freeze plugs... (they are casting holes) Nor do they prevent a block from freezing. Very likely if one is pushed out, the block is toast.

 

[thormx11]

Those aren't freeze plugs... (they are casting holes) Nor do they prevent a block from freezing. Very likely if one is pushed out, the block is toast.

I've not pulled it apart, it was only a guess. Im a mechanic, just not a boat mechanic. I know some most GM engines of that era had the brass freeze plugs, and usually had one or two in the rear of the block.

I only could see water pouring out between the back of the block and the flywheel, so that was what I guess it could have been.

 

[thormx11]

Is it possible that the oring seal that goes aroun the outdrive and into the housing could be twisted allowing water to come out around the driveshaft by the flywheel?

 

[Bt Doctur]

not really , the water would have to travel in a straight line into the flywheel housing. Best guess if a freeze popped the blocks core plug behind the flywheel

 

[Fishermark]

Here's what you will see when you do pull the engine and look:

And not to bust your chops or anything... but boat engines do not have torque converters. The piece on the back of the engine that you will remove to get at the core plugs is called a flywheel housing.

 

[thormx11]

Here's what you will see when you do pull the engine and look:

And not to bust your chops or anything... but boat engines do not have torque converters. The piece on the back of the engine that you will remove to get at the core plugs is called a flywheel housing.

Yeah, I'm no boat mehanic, I am a car mechanic. I've never pulled a boat engine to see what is even behind the engine! But is the plug replaceable or should I start looking for a new engine? I've worked on a few older cars/trucks that have froze and pushed out a brass freeze plug from the engine, sometimes you can just put a new plug in and your good to go.

 

[Bt Doctur]

An engine is an engine, just like some women look better in jeans than a dress.no difference in the internals.
Most times when a core plug does pop out from a freeze ,there is additional damage from cracking. Sometimes internally. you wont know whats going to happen untill you pull the engine ,replace the plug(if it is a missing plug) and put water to it. I would test fill or test run it out of the boat.

 

[thormx11]

An engine is an engine, just like some women look better in jeans than a dress.no difference in the internals.
Most times when a core plug does pop out from a freeze ,there is additional damage from cracking. Sometimes internally. you wont know whats going to happen untill you pull the engine ,replace the plug(if it is a missing plug) and put water to it. I would test fill or test run it out of the boat.

How could you test run it out of the boat? I would assume what happened was when the out drive was stolen the boat was just parked. It has 2012 stickers on it, so I would guess is sat 2-3 years.

 

[nola mike]

Seems like it would be a good idea to figure out where exactly the water is coming from before pulling the engine...
I'd probably pressure test the block and cooling system. And like BT said, no way you'll be able to use that outdrive with the 3.0.

 

[Bt Doctur]

you basically hook up water to the therm inlet where the hose would normally go from the outdrive. hot wire the coil , add a outboard fuel tank hooked to the water sep or fuel pump, jump the starter

 

[saltybutwet]

How could you test run it out of the boat? I would assume what happened was when the out drive was stolen the boat was just parked. It has 2012 stickers on it, so I would guess is sat 2-3 years.

This forum has knowledgeable members, and they are willing to help...
maybe this thread I started a while ago will help you.
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...jor-problems-not-running-water-mixed-with-oil