88 BFN not cooling

We started our rebuilt motor today and the water was not circulation through the system. I disconnected the hose that connects to the hull pick up and pushed the water hose about 1 foot into hose and wraped it tight with a towel. Turned on the water and the strainer filled up but never circuleted through the engine and out the exhaust. Next I used a "fake-a-lake" and pressed it aginst the bottom of the hull...tight. With hose turned on high....still no circulation. I removed the RWP and looked at the impeller and it was dry inside the housing. Here are some possible issues. Thanks for your feedback.

1. Could I have installed the used impeller backwards? (I have a new one ordered but hoped I could get by with this one for the engine start up)
2. Blockage in a hose. (Do not think it is blocked but need to check it)
3. I could have installed the Trans cooler upside down. (Do not know if this only flows one direction)
Oh FYI the engine sounded great for about 1 - 2 minutes:) Then I shut everything off.

Tom. RWP look like they will work the opposite way they are supposed to. You probably have it installed in the incorrect orientation (happens commonly). That pump on a reverse rotation engine should have the pump inlet and outlet tubes oriented away from the block instead of towards the block. It takes the water in and runs it around the long side of the housing to squeez it out and up the outlet.

Pickin up what I'm putting down? They work for RH engine and LH engines.

No water ever made it to the RWP. It was dry as a bone.

The impeller will flip itself, you can't put it in backwards.

Did you put the inlet hose on the outlet side of the impeller pump? I think that's most likely your problem.

Also, hopefully the housing o-ring is stuck on the other half not in the picture.

Ahhhhhh I forgot they take a different pump Dooyyyyy. 17 impeller instead of the 15.

Some pics of my finished 454 engine.

tbeard wrote: What about that Trans cooler? Is there a way I can check to see if it is backwards? I need to fix it before I start the engine again.

There isn't a water flow direction on the trans cooler. Take a look inside if you get a chance. The only hook up concern is to flow the water and oil opposite. This keeps the delta T high and you get the best efficiency out of the tube and shell heat exchanger.

That does look sweet

So thinking about the engine rotation and the way the impeller blades trail, I think the outside (starboard) hose is the pump outlet and should go up to the thermostat housing. The inside (port) hose is the lake feed.

phatsat67 wrote: I like the contrast of the black pcm decals over the orange engine. It sort of looks like there is a hi po 396 option in the boat in the lats 60's haha.

So Tom-- the PCM Decals went on pretty well.... Keep me informed of how they hold up! More Pics and feedback on the ' other ' decals and some dash pics also

Hose closest to the engine centerline comes from the lake, one on the outboard side, goes to the thermostat housing. Had to look at my 87 BFn for someone previoously and thats the way mine is set up.

MartyMabe wrote: phatsat67 wrote: I like the contrast of the black pcm decals over the orange engine. It sort of looks like there is a hi po 396 option in the boat in the lats 60's haha. So Tom-- the PCM Decals went on pretty well.... Keep me informed of how they hold up! More Pics and feedback on the ' other ' decals and some dash pics also

Thanks for the decals Marty. They look great on the valve covers. Yes the glue seemed weak. Well see how they hold up.

All you gotta do is put the beer inside the boat then you don't need a helper.

Thanks Mike
Just takes a little money and alot of time:) Good Luck