96 50HP exaust in cowel, stalls engine

[Nickstoyz]

Hello everyone! My first post and the title says it all. Starts fine but after a few minutes the engine dies from exhaust in the cowl. With the cowl off it runs fine. So after a bunch of reading I was thinking that the power head might have to come off and new gaskets installed. But I just read a post in here about a bad exhaust gasket. The exhaust does seam to be coming from that area but hard to tell. I'm thinking I should start there. Any thoughts? I always try and do the easiest first. I have the manual for it and the pics are crappy, blurry.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Welcome!!
The manual, Seloc or Clymer ?? Both aren't very good.
The factory is the way to go.

The way the motors designed, the only way for exhaust to get in is at the adaptor plate.

You'll need to take the head off to do it right.
But until then, take a bunch of sillycone and spread it heavy around the base where the leak might be.

I did this on my 85 and it worked for YEARS!!

 

[Nickstoyz]

Thanks for your reply. Thats what i thought i would have to do. But was hoping for the easier solution. Lol I have the Force outboard service manual #OB 4129. 50 HP. And yes i will try the silicone. But one question about pulling the power head. Where do I put something to pull the power head off? Ive read some posts that say use the holes in the flywheel? Im not near the boat at this time. So i cant confirm if there is tapped holes in it

 

[kbh121956]

They have a eye bolt on eBay and other websites. You remove the flywheel nut and screw on the eye bolt. I made a "L" bracket in the shape of a "Y" that utilized two of the holes in the flywheel. The holes are small 1/4" also a fine thread. The eye bolt setup would work much better as it would lift more center.

 

[kbh121956]

Do a search for this description, Force lifting ring, eye tool. [h=3][/h]

 

[Nickstoyz]

Thanks for the reply! I will do the search.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Your 96/50 might not have holes in the head???
You'll need a Mercury lifting ring.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercury-Ma...045496?hash=item2aa0999278:g:dqcAAOSw57xaiitl
This is on e-bay it also has the ability to remove the flywheel too 25$

 

[Nickstoyz]

I'll be headed to the lake Friday. Going to check my auto parts store for some high temp silicone. And some cleaning spray. I looked up the lift ring. Very smart idea. I should be able to make that. Thanks again! Ill post my progress.

 

[Nickstoyz]

Hello all, today i bought some high temp silicone and cleaner. Headed out there tomorrow. What sucks is that the pontoon is in the water and I'll have to turn it around to get it into shallower water lol. 4 feet deep from shore will work compared to 8 feet. Lol

 

[Nickstoyz]

Hello all!, so before I did anything on the motor I decided to start it and see where about it was leaking. I knew the general area but just wanted to get a closer clearer look. Turns up being the right bottom corner of the exhaust port plate area. It was clear from the exhaust pattern it made on the plate. And in order for me to do any kind of decent silicone job would require me to take off the plate. Now I have the plate off and the gasket looked like crap. I just ordered a new one from iBoats. A few of the bolts was pretty rusty, I'm glad none broke. So now a couple questions. Are these just your standard quarter 20 bolts? And on reassembly should I use a blue Loctite or something on the threads? Kinda funny but the tightest bolt was the one closest to the leak. And anything besides the gasket like a sealant to hold it in place?

 

[kbh121956]

Easy answer as I just answered a guy above your post.
I use silicone on my gaskets.
Screw or Nut Size Torque
6-32 9 in. lbs. torque
8-32 20 in. lbs. torque
10-24 30 in. lbs.
10-32 35 in. lbs.
12-24 45 in. lbs.
1/4-20 70 in. lbs.
5/16-18 160 in. lbs.
3/8-16 270 in. lbs.
If your exhaust port cover uses 1/4 size bolts it should be torqued at 70 in. lbs.
I also use a small amount of silicone on my threads. I have read where anti-seize becomes permanent?

 

[jerryjerry05]

Anti-seize in salt water becomes Perma-seize.
The factory didn't use any sealers on their bolts.
Yes do use a sealer on the gaskets.
When the motor was new and the edges were sharp and defined, they didn't use a sealer on the gaskets.
But you'll need to or the water leak won't go away.

The bolts aren't anything special.
There are 2 sizes 1/20X3/4
And 1/20X 2.5 These bigger ones need to be torqued to 270 in.pounds??
Sounds like a lot but check the manual.

 

[Nickstoyz]

Happy Monday everyone! Bought my new bolts this weekend. I wish the bolt heads were like the ones i took off. They had a little bigger head, more to grab with a wrench and socket. Got my clicker torque wrench set to 70 inch pounds. Just waiting for the gasket

 

[Nickstoyz]

Hello all! The new gasket is in. Its running better. It will run now with the coweling on but still some exaust in there. Before it ran maybe 5 minutes before dieing. Going to take it out for a cruise tomorrow. If it fails my next attempt to a temporary fix will be to fab a tube from the carb to the holes in the cowel, fresh air. In fall ill pull the power head.

 

[Nickstoyz]

Went for a test ride around the lake and it ran great!! I'm very happy!! We'll see how the summer goes. Possibly pull it apart this fall.

 

[Nickstoyz]

now on to the mercury page. lol Thanks for all your help!