What's needed to run my engine out of the water?

[autoarcheologist]

Hey gang,

We recently picked up a 1969 Reinell 19' with a 120 HP Mercruiser I/O engine. It came with 2 final drive units, both off the boat (one on a nice custom stand).

The engine had been winterized at some point and I'm trying to get it running again.

I started with the ignition system and after cleaning a few connections, and the typical new points, condensor, rotor and cap I now have spark.

I hooked up a temporary fuel tank and got her to fire and run for a few seconds, albeit poorly. I'm not sure all 4 cylinders are firing just yet, but I didn't want to run it long for risk of damaging it.

I know I need to run some water through it for cooling, but is there anything else I need to do before letting it run for a few minutes to warm up and see how she runs and what else she'll need?

It came with a new impeller for the final drive water pump, but before I dig into the final drives I want to make sure the engine runs well.

I'm sure this is a common question from other boat Noobs, I didn't find much in my searches.

For reference I'm familiar with engines, I've been playing with vintage Alfa Romeos and other cars for 20 years, plus I have a mechanical engineering degree and worked at Chrylser in their powertrain group for about 3 years. So I know engines, just not boats, and definitely not all the workings of the I/O system.

I'm having fun learning and getting up to speed and happy to read previous threads if someone can point me to them. The ignition testing FAQ was key to getting the ignition system working. Oh, I also have the Clymer manual for Mercruiser.

Thanks!
Ian
Portland, OR
1969 Reinell, 120 HP Mercruiser

 

[oldjeep]

Re: What's needed to run my engine out of the water?

Just need a set of muffs - any marine store will have them. If you ran it dry then you are going to need to swap in that extra impeller you have. Never start it without water.
Seasense Motor Flushers

 

[achris]

Re: What's needed to run my engine out of the water?

Hello Ian and :welcome: to iboats.

Very first line of business. You have a clymer knee-pad, not a manual. Neither cylmer nor seloc have ever written a manual of any value. What you need is the genuine factory manual, of which I have provided you a link for downloading....-> MANUAL.

If you are running with the drive off, all you need to do is stuff a garden hose into the water inlet hole on the open face of the bell-housing where the drive would bolt onto. That inlet is the smaller hole on the left (port) on the housing... NEVER run the engine without water running to the drive. Even without the drive, running without water can still damage the rubber boots in the exhaust system (no water to cool very hot exhaust gasses)....

Chris........

 

[autoarcheologist]

Re: What's needed to run my engine out of the water?

The final drive units are not currently attached. Is there anything in the upper unit that would be damaged?

 

[achris]

Re: What's needed to run my engine out of the water?

Hi Ian,

Sounds like we are talking different languages.. Have a look HERE, and you will see the standard terminology used when dealing with boats. If we all use the same terminology there should be less misunderstandings...

Chris....

 

[achris]

Re: What's needed to run my engine out of the water?

The final drive units are not currently attached. Is there anything in the upper unit that would be damaged?

If I understand, the drive-shaft housing is still on the bell-housing, but the gear housing is off.... If so, then yes, there is a plastic 'water pocket cover' in the drive-shaft housing that is VERY susceptible to damage with uncooled exhaust gases.

Chris....

 

[autoarcheologist]

Re: What's needed to run my engine out of the water?

Thanks for the link Chris.

Hopefully I didn't damage anything, I only let it run a few seconds, I don't think all 4 cylinders were running yet so I shut her down and figured I would double check before doing anything bad. I'm glad I did!

So the bottom section of the outdrive has been removed. I could either plumb water through the upper section, or just pull the hose at the engine and run a hose there.

Thanks for the manual! The Clymer has been a good intro, kind of like Popular Mechanics for someone who doesn't know much about cars.

 

[autoarcheologist]

Re: What's needed to run my engine out of the water?

If I understand, the drive-shaft housing is still on the bell-housing, but the gear housing is off.... If so, then yes, there is a plastic 'water pocket cover' in the drive-shaft housing that is VERY susceptible to damage with uncooled exhaust gases.

Chris....

OK, crossed posts.

So will I be OK if I attach a hose to the input on the drive-shaft housing?

 

[achris]

Re: What's needed to run my engine out of the water?

I've done that before too... But I would pull the drive-shaft housing off. The reasoning is that if the engine hasn't been run for a while it will be prudent to check the unis, gimbal bearing, engine alignment and the condition of the bellows before putting the boat in the water... All these things are 'annual service' items too... If you need help doing any of these things, check up in the 'stickies' and find the videos I made.

Chris...

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: What's needed to run my engine out of the water?

The final drive units are not currently attached. Is there anything in the upper unit that would be damaged?

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
DOT NOT RUN THE ENGINE,There May not be oil in the upper unit. You need to verify if your drives has 2 seperate oil compartments.

 

[autoarcheologist]

Re: What's needed to run my engine out of the water?

Thanks guys, I'll double check the stickys on the upper and lower drive.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: What's needed to run my engine out of the water?

The final drive units are not currently attached. Is there anything in the upper unit that would be damaged?

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
DOT NOT RUN THE ENGINE,There May not be oil in the upper unit. You need to verify if your drives has 2 separate oil compartments.

++++++1

He most likely has and ALPHA.
With the lower off, the upper will drain of oil in a short time.
Remove the UPPER aka Drive Shaft Housing. Now the entire drive is off!

Look at the picture of the BELL HOUSING in the link in post #5.
To the bottom left of the Big Round Upper Opening is a smaller 1.25" hole.
This is where you would need to supply the water.

Running the engine without water for more than 10 seconds risks melting the exhaust components.
Unlike an auto, the boat's exhaust pipes are made of plastic and rubber.
They get plenty warm but never HOT. You can put your hand on them at least for a few seconds.
90% of the water delivered to the engine goes directly to cool the exhaust without ever passing through the block.

 

[autoarcheologist]

Re: What's needed to run my engine out of the water?

Thanks for all the help folks. I decided not to risk any damage so haven't run the engine since the last post. I also realized that the transom rot was more than I could handle, so we sold the boat to a contractor who hopefully has the skills to fix her and make her seaworthy again.

The other reason for the sale was that we found a similar 1969 Reinell but with an Evinrude outboard. The big difference being that this boat was stored in a garage for 40 years, and is gorgeous. I'll start a thread on that one and post a link.

Can't wait to get out on the water! Thanks again!

 

[autoarcheologist]

Re: What's needed to run my engine out of the water?

And here's the new boat!

http://forums.iboats.com/boat-topic...-topics/1969-reinell-19-barn-find-647663.html

Thanks again guys,
Ian