Drive shaft housing temperature?

[Medvind]

I've got a 7.5 merc and recently fixed a problem with the cooling. It now seems to work, but I am a little surprised that the drive shaft housing gets warm. Is this normal?

It is not really hot. I can put my hand on it for a short while, but I can't hold it there for a longer time.

The tell tail water is not that warm. I would say more like the temperature of my morning shower. (There is no thermostat.)

Maybe this is normal, but I never touched it before it broke, so I am not sure. Does anyone know?

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Drive shaft housing temperature?

the drive shaft housing has hot exhaust gases flowing through it so i'm pretty sure it should be warm normally but not hot. the key indicator is that you have a nice telltale stream at all speeds with plenty of volume. the telltale water should never get hot, warm at most in my opinion. myself, i'm having a problem with my '72 9.8, it's leaking water past the water pump housing seal and not putting out quite enough water. maybe someone more knowledgeable than i will check in.
good luck,
jbjennings

 

[emckelvy]

Re: Drive shaft housing temperature?

Are you running in a barrel of water or out in the lake etc?

The water in a barrel might get a bit warmer and this of course will give you a warmer telltale, but if you're running in cool lake water the discharge shouldn't get very warm at all.

Probably the best indicator of motor temp (and adequacy of cooling) on these thermostat-less motors is to feel the exhaust manifold cover. If it gets any more than lukewarm, the motor's probably not getting enough water flow thru it.

If it gets quite warm or even uncomfortable to the touch, that's WAY too hot!

HTH..........ed