1984 120 mercruiser

Augie30

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May 16, 2019
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First time posting here! So I thought I was doing a awesome thing in restoring my Father in Laws 1983 Larson Citation. I have hit tons of rot and general neglect that hasn’t deterred me until now. It has a 120 mercruiser in it. I fired it up with water today so I could properly fog it and stabilize it before I pull it and rebuild the transom. After ten minutes of running I have a milky foam coming out around the starter. I didn’t find much info online. I did pull the oil filter with no milky foam in it as well as drain about two quarts out of the oil pan with no water in it. Has anyone seen this before?
Thanks in advance
 

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
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After ten minutes of running I have a milky foam coming out around the starter.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,...... Not sure what you've got goin' on,.....

My 1st thought is, there's a core plug behind the flywheel that could have been displaced, which would explain water comin' from the starter area, but not how oil is mixin' with it,......

I guess, I'd continue pullin' the motor, to get a closer look at the back of the block,.....
 

Augie30

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May 16, 2019
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Thanks for the reply! I am going to continue tearing it down and will inspect it all. I will definitely check that plug.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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if a core plug is missing..... it wasnt winterized, the water froze and busted the block and pushed the core plug out.

if that is the case, look for a different motor. maybe a post 92 motor and drive to get the A1G2 drive as well.
 

thumpar

Admiral
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Jun 21, 2007
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6,138
My first thought with that location is core plug but can't explain the foam either. If the oil was milky too I could see it but its not. Get a little deeper and see what you find out. Those are good little engines. Hope it is simple.
 
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