Mercruiser starter

[GasCan II]

Hello guy’s
I took my starter out of a 5.7 Bravo LX and there was signs of water entering the drive gear end but not the starter motor. Any ideas where water might be entering the the bell housing to enter the starter drive gear ?
Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... High water in the bilge,..??

A dislodged core plug in the back of the block,..??

 

[Scott Danforth]

Leaking bellows, cracked block, missing core plug, left plug in and bilge filled with water

 

[GasCan II]

Thanks guys I’ll check these things out.