Well it all started with a little drip.
I've been putting off posting my whoas, because I wasn't sure if my problems were severe or just a hiccup. Turns out, the worst fears are a reality. The only consolation is that I appear to not be alone, as someone who's had catastrophic issues with a brand new motor.
Long story short, I bought the boat with a fresh Merc 350 engine. A new block was purchased and then rebuilt with a new rotating assembly. From what I can see, a lot of the original top end parts were used, but the intake manifold is an automotive Edelbrock Performer RPM. The scary thing there is all of the other automotive parts that may have been used. I can see that the intake manifold gaskets are not stainless, but auto grade, and many of the bolts and other hardware used are also not marine.
I was camping in Lake George for a week, running the boat regularly everyday. It started with a leak in the thermostat housing which dribbled water down the front of the engine. That then got worse and started streaming water down the intake manifold. The oil cap then fell off because it was an ill fitting aftermarket rubber cap. I thought water streamed into the engine through the oil opening. Btw, the guys at Performance Marine in LG are the best, and helped me out as I tried to fix the thermostat housing leak in the water. Once we discovered the milky oil though, we pulled the boat out and called the time of death...
So I thought, let me do a few oil changes to see if it clears up, but after three oil changes I'm still getting water in the oil.
So now what. The engine was built by a captain and boat builder, but not an engine shop. It doesn't have a warrantee on the build. The motor still starts and runs, with no sign of damage other than what the mayo like oil has done to the longevity of my bearings. I suppose my only next course of action is to take off the carb and intake and replace it with the proper merc pieces and gaskets. And I suppose that's my question for the board and all of you long time engine builders out there.
Would you try replacing the auto intake manifold with a marine one, or would you pull the motor and completely go through it for cracks in the block or an incorrect build? There's no telling why water is getting in, only theories and suspicions of auto parts. Suggestions please.
Thanks,
Matt
87 Donzi ZB21, 350 Merc, Alpha One