Where are my flappers?

[danthern]

1977 OMC 235 hp 351W I/O. I'm getting water in the oil and believe that it is ingesting through the exhaust as I've ruled out the heads, head gasket, exhaust manifols and risers. I keep hearing about the flappers. The guy at the boat place said that they should be at the junction where the short big hose that comes off the riser meets the bell housing. If this is true, I have nothing there! I see no place for a pin to mount them, although there is a lip about 1-2 inches below the top of the bell housing. My shop manual doesn't mention it. Can anyone enlighten me? <br />Thanks!

 

[danthern]

Re: Where are my flappers?

anyone?

 

[chris in va]

Re: Where are my flappers?

I have a 1994 302 which is probably very similar to your 351. If you take off the rubber exhaust boot connected to your risers, you'll see (in your case) a couple holes on either side of the metal pipe sitting vertically. Mine still had the rods intact, but no flappers. You may have to feel around with your fingers to find the two holes since there's nothing left on yours.

 

[danthern]

Re: Where are my flappers?

Thanks Chris....I'll report back<br />Dan

 

[danthern]

Re: Where are my flappers?

are we talking about in the riser, elbow or bell housing? I swear i can't locate hide nor hair of where they should go (I assume there are 2).<br />Thanks for any help.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Where are my flappers?

Go to this link and look at the picture in the bottom right and see item 32, maybe this picture will help you locate yours OMC Cooling/Exhaust

 

[chris in va]

Re: Where are my flappers?

Yup, that's about where mine are too. Right at the top of the metal pipe, after the rubber bellows. Like I said, just feel around in there and find the two holes where the rods/flapper should be. I talked with a marine mechanic about this and he said just about every boat he gets in the shop has missing flappers. Go figure.

 

[danthern]

Re: Where are my flappers?

Thanks alot fellows. i'm feeling pretty stupid here...I think I must have the early prod. model. The outdrive is a 77 model supposedly. Does that year utilize flappers? If so, am I missing it?

 

[chris in va]

Re: Where are my flappers?

Maybe in 1977 they didn't use flappers. If you can, take it to a qualified OMC mechanic and see what he says. You certainly don't want to run the boat without flappers...I hydrolocked my engine due to that.