Sea King 9.6 runs hot (I think)

[Whoopbass]

I just bought a 1972 Sea King 9.6 # VWB27009A. It runs HOT and I don't understand why. The motor runs great and looks to be in fantastic shape. Starts easy and idles great.

I checked the impeller and it looks fine. Water blows out the back three holes. The water takes about a minute or so to heat up as hot as hot coffee. The powerhead gets so hot I can only leave my hand on it a second or two. Alot of the time the water only blows out the holes if the engine is revved up kinda high.

I have a 15 hp Sea King that looks identical to the 9.6 but doesn't run near as hot. It runs at the same temp as any name brand water cooled outboard. It blows water out at any rpm.

What could be wrong? Is just the exhaust water cooled on the 9.6? If the entire outboard is water cooled I don't see how the power head and the water gets so hot so fast.
Do the water ports clog up on these outboards easy? It doesn't show any signs of being ran in salt water.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Sea King 9.6 runs hot (I think)

Yes the whole motor is water cooled.Apparently no thermostat so it would run fairly cool.
Normal temperature is too hot to hold your hand on but not so hot it burns you.Sounds like your at the high end.you might try pulling the head to be sure the passages are clear.Also be sure the water tube in the leg is seated properly and its seals are in good shape.You might pull the exhaust cover
and inspect.Be sure the water intake is clear.

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: Sea King 9.6 runs hot (I think)

I pulled the exhaust cover and it looked clean. I shot water through the water tube and it shot out the water port no problem. I shot water in the other holes and it blew on through.
Since water circulation doesn't seem to be a problem i'm going to assume its a hot running motor. The water temp differance between the 9.6 and the 15 is baffling.
I'm just going to put it back together and run it. If it seizes up then i'll part it out and get my money back that way.

**UPDATE**
I got it back together and it runs cool now. I guess when I shot water up the water tube with a jet nozzle on the end of the hose it must have dislodged some type of blockage.
She's a good running $60 motor now.
Thanks