Hydro-lock!!

SS 201, with the style of exhaust manifold on the Ford Interceptor, which I have, the water is dumped into the exhaust stream very close to the head. (2" or 3"). I was advised by a long time cam grinder, when I was searching for a cam, that I would have a water problem if my exhaust duration was too long. Are you saying this fellow did not know what he was talking about?

Did you find the problem or have you given up? The theory that the water entered through the exhaust is VERY plausible. In fact, it can and does happen all the time. I've heard it from a few boat mechanics. It all depends on how you drive. It is possible that the previous owner never had any problems without the flaps because of the way he drove.

If you stop the boat abruptly without flaps on the exhaust, you can easily get water up into the manifolds. If you shut the engine down as you're stopping, it's even worse. The reason you can get water into all of the cylinders is that the manifolds fill up with water and it leaks into all of the cylinders as it's sitting there.

Think back. Did you do any of this? Also as someone else mentioned, dieseling can cause the engine to spin backwards or flip-flop back-and-forth which can actually suck water up the exhaust.

If you think any of this could have possibly happened, you owe it to yourself to at least just change the oil and run your boat in the driveway on a hose for a while. If the water came from inside the engine somewhere, you'll have the same problem. If not, suspect the exhaust. Buy a couple of flaps (cheap) and go.

Engine issue has not gotten worse and she runs fine on the hose. I've been in Alaska, Colorado, and New Mexico most of the summer and haven't pulled the intake manifold to check it. I can email some pics if interested

You can email pics to me at mschank@prairieinet.net. Also, where is the boat located.

I was having a similar problem with my 72 mustang. Pulled of the exhaust and pressure tested it no water in the exhaust from the water jackets. Got the water out of the cylinders (only in 1 & 2)and cranked the engine with the exhaust manifold off the engine to make sure water wasn't coming in from the exhaust. As I cranked the engine (all spark plugs removed and coil disconnected)mare water came shooting out from whre the spark plugs normally are. So I pulled off the intake manifold... no cracks no evidence of water and gaskets were in good shape. So I pulled the heads off. Sure enough the head gaskets were blown. So now the heads are being resurfaced and exhaust valve seats hardened. gasket set is in the mail and with any luck I will be back in busisness by the end of the weekend or sometime soon after.
Yater, dont give up on your boat yet. I was only able to take mine out once just like you but to give up on it this fast is just wrong man. Pull of the exhaust if that not it take of the intake atleast. There is nothing to that part of it if thats no the problem then go from there. But you owe to 'er to at least try man.

I'd hate to part it because most of the pieces would be too big/heavy for shipping. Then I'd end up with a junk yard in the driveway. I'll guage interest and see if it would be worth parting but I'm thinking most of it would have to be picked up. The guages, lights, and pylon are just about the only things that I could ship

The boat is 80 miles east of Dallas Tx, in Tyler Texas. I thought I would fix the manifold gasket and sell it running for $3000. As is...I don't really know

Yater...can you send photos? What condition is the boat in..hull,stingers and interrior! I could be very interested!

MY EMAIL IS...
lisaandgary@insightbb.com

Pswann....I almost was heading to Texas to get that one...Yater said someone was going to look at it...I figured it was you!

Good luck with it...It may work out better for me anyway ...I have a line on a 72 nuatique ...will see photos tomorrow...if they look good I am going to make a trip!!!

pswann, Have the heads magnafluxed as well while it's at the head shop to make sure that it did not crack do to the head gasket being blown. Most like likely not but it easy to check now.

I'm sure you'll enjoy the boat for many years to come and not loose any money on the deal. Let us know how the engine turns out and if you decide to redo the interior the carpet looked a little raged from the pictures.

I've had chrome on mine for a couple of years without any problems you have to polish them with eagle one never dull once in a while and they are good to go. Also you can get cast aluminum ones has well. While you have the manifolds & risers off have them diped at the machine shop and repaint them and they are good as new. The risers you don't have to worry about but check the manifolds and make sure they are not rusted out on the inside and need replaced.

Pswann,

You mentioned that the engine turn's cw based upon the breakerless ignition. I would caution you and have you look at the prop instead and see if it is a right hand or left hand prop to determind the rotation of the engine. On these ford engines the dist turns clockwise on standard or reverse rotation. It doesn't make much difference with way it turns just that you have the firing order correct for the direction it rotates.

Are ya thinkin you might try again? You ran for one expensive hour in a half...but that 1.5 hour run was cool...right? Hope ya do and have much better luck!

Kinda got lost in this post, but am curious as to who owns the boat now and was the problem diagnosed?