Back Flushing from the tell tail on a 1960 Merc 400

[DeepCMark58A]

I have had the motor out a few times and I am a little concerned about the stream coming out of the tell tale seems more like a mist than a stream. I am thinking of connecting a hose to the tell tale to flush water to the inlet line out of the water pump housing. I have the lower unit off and wondering is there a back flow preventer in the cooling loop?

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Nope no back flow preventer, I hooked the hose into the tell tale and fired up the water, water ran out of the bottom of the lower unit but not out of the tube that goes into the water pump. There is no back pressure when I blow into the tube that goes up from the water pump so no blockage. Can I use a sealant on the outside of the tube that goes into the lower unit?

 

[Texasmark]

Get a model/serial number and look up Crowley Marine who offesr free parts/ blown up illustration lists online. I know iboats sells parts and manuals but I am not aware of a free parts breakdown by model/serial number accessible on line. Look there for a seal or not. On some water pumps the plastic top and the copper tube form a friction fit. Others use a replaceable gasket/seal.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

There is a rubber bushing that the tube slides into, it was buggered up and most likely leaking, I do intend to order a new bushing but in the mean time I pulled the bushing cleaned it up and reversed the bushing and put it back in, the seal will be much better and I will still get to enjoy Labor Day boating.

 

[Texasmark]

Sounds like a plan.