1973 Evinrude 50hp 50373R overheating

[Tcfurk]

I just bought a used boat with a 1973 Evinrude 50HP and The engine keeps overheating. It get too hot to even touch and the alarm on the throttle goes off after a couple minutes of running at idle. Water is exiting the pee hole towards the boat and also the exhaust relief. I pulled the lower off to check the impeller and housing and all looks great. I pulled the water jacket cover, and the exhaust cover off the engine. It looks like water isn’t getting to the powerhead but I left the exhaust cover loose enough to leak and water did leak from it. I ran it with the thermostat and relief valve out and the water jacket off to see if water was making it to that point and never seen a drop. I have scoured the forums and web for days now, and still can not locate the problem. I’ve read about a grommet under the powerhead but I was hoping it could be anything else... any way to know it’s the grimmer? I do have a new impeller coming soon so I’ll try seeing if that helps but the other looked fine. Anything I’m missing?

 

[racerone]

A blown head gasket will cause overheat.----Post your compression numbers.------And if you are testing in a bucket the water level needs to be 8" above the pump !

 

[Tcfurk]

I just double checked the exhaust cover and no water is getting there right either. So it’s somewhere between the impeller and powerhead...

 

[Tcfurk]

I currently don’t have anything to test compression with, I will grab a gauge though, and it’s in a large 50 gallon plastic tub. Should definitely be high enough

 

[racerone]

Just take everything apart for inspection.----I am sure you will find the problem then

 

[Tcfurk]

I’ve already taken it as far as I know to, it’s all dry in the the power head, is there something that could keep it from flowing there? The impeller is definitely pumping because I have a good stream coming out of the exhaust relief.

 

[racerone]

Folks love to argue.-----There is not enuff water in your test bucket.---Launch the boat and test again.

 

[Tcfurk]

Not arguing man, I need the help for sure!!! I know nothing about boats other than what I’m learning now, it’s full when I run it; the bucket drains when the water is off, is that still too low?

 

[racerone]

Just test in the lake.------There might be too many bubbles in the water.------The impeller does not pump air very well.----New boat owners make so many mistakes.----They also learn about outboards the hard way .----That is a thin wallet after mistakes are made.------And no I did not learn about motors like yours last week.----More like working on them before yours left the factory.

 

[Tcfurk]

I will definitely try that, fingers crossed. I am definitely on the path to learning the hard way! I appreciate the help for sure, I’ll let ya know how it goes.