pull the motor?

[coastalcruiser]

Hello everyone,
On my 1974 23' I have a pre alpha drive with a 888-302 marine ford. That's what originally came with the boat.
I bought the engine-drive used and installed everything myself
after a few years no problem the drive totally died leaving an oil slick so a mechanic sold me a replacement leg, that went great. few years or so later the steering got loose and a gradual overheat started.
I got him to service the leg he sold me new impeller etc, he told me the bell housing was junk and told me he had a really good 4 cly one and so I pulled the motor and installed it. I just searched the forums and I'm sure that I need to pull the motor and block those exhaust relief holes with sealant in order to prevent pressure while the motor is running there is exhaust coming out of the raw water tube if I pull it off and I'm sure that's causing overheating over 1500 rpms never overheats at idle or slow speeds my family have been very patient and we just go slow now :-(
if anyone has a idea of what to do it would be greatly appreciated

 

[Don S]

Re: pull the motor?

Do you have your terminology right? The bellhousing on the engine (aka flywheel cover) has nothing to do with cooling or exhaust.

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: pull the motor?

I didnt mention it is FWC ,
the part i'm talking about is the exhaust relief holes on the Y tube inside the NEW transom that I rebuilt I believe the drive leg is atached to a bellhousing assembly my steering was shot. that bell housing is from a 4 cly but is was in great shape and I trusted it would work could that be the cause of my trouble? should I plug these holes in the Y tube?
Thanks