New Poppet Valve, T-stat, Impeller = no water out tell tale? Merc. 65hp 3 cyl 650

[gholmesjr]

So, perhaps I am just paranoid. I have rebuilt my motor. Stripped down to the crank to replace two broken reeds. New seals on the block all the way around. The poppet valve was shot, the thermostat could open by hand. I replaced both. I also dropped the lower unit and put new seals and impeller into the water pump. Put the motor back together, got her running (before timing yet) on muffs to test that she still ran (I'm a novice engine builder) and yes she runs strong now, however the block started to heat up and no water would come out of the tell tale. Before the rebuild and installation of new t-stat and poppet, it would pee water very quickly and the motor would never heat up.

NOW, with that said. I'm torn. Did I do something wrong regarding the water pump? I was too chicken to run the motor too long as I don't want to overheat it. My thoughts that I want to run by you are this. The poppet valve was completely deteriorated to the point that it was not holding water back. The thermostat was opening very easy as it was worn. I imagine that both of these items are the original from 1975. So, I'm thinking that neither were functioning correctly, yes? A thermostat is designed to open when optimal heating of water gets achieved so maybe because this is functioning normal the motor needs to heat up to run optimally? The poppet is designed to open at higher rpm to run water through quickly, so I imagine that on muffs at idle speed it isn't opening. However, I open up the cover where the poppet and the t-stat are and there are no signs of water coming up into that area from the water pump, so part of me thinks that the pump isn't working correctly. Is there anyway to check it? I only replaced the impeller and the top seal to the top part of the housing.

I know this is long and drawn out but any advice would be great!

Thanks,

J.T.

 

[emckelvy]

The impeller key may have slipped out when you installed the impeller. Or, you missed the water tube-into-pump upon reinstallation. Or the rubber water tube grommet in the upper pump body has rolled over or is missing. Lots of things can happen during repairs, and you'll just need to open 'er up and check it out.

Definitely need to pull the L/U and inspect the pump R&R. With the L/U removed, hook up a supply of water to the copper water tube and run water up the powerhead to test for proper circulation.

HTH, let us know what you find.........ed

 

[gholmesjr]

Thanks Ed, I will see about doing that this evening.

 

[gholmesjr]

So I dissembled everything, come to find out when I put the impeller in, I reversed the fins. Make sure you spin the shaft clockwise as you apply the upper housing assembly. Reassembled everything and away we go. Sounds strong and she is peeing something fierce now.