Water mixing with oil in 1981 Bare ft.351

I own a 1981 Barefoot Nautique with a 351 raw water cooled in good to excellent condition. It has been winterized regularly. Last summer I notice a milky consistancy in the oil and this did not go away after I changed the oil twice. Then the engine stopped turninng over (vapor lock?). I don't want to spend over $1000 in repairs. Is this practical? Is there a common cause to this problem (head gasket) or does the age of the engine and the brackish saltwater make this not worth fixing? What would be the value of a boat in this condtion?

Trying to be optimistic...if a head gasket is to blame then that is not the end of road for the motor...right? However, it is hard to be optimistic when the engine (once very reliable) is no longer willing to try turn over. Perhaps the starter or solenoid quit that same week the oil and water started to mix! If the engine is toast can I varify that by attempting to turn it by hand using a wrench on the pully bolt?

Thank you for your time to reply!

Jlehrach, I think you may have had a chance to salvage the engine had you take action when you first noticed the “milky” oil. But after 2 oil changes (about 100 hours) it is probably too late to save that engine. Even if it is only a head gasket, or possibly a rotten head (I do not think it would be the block) you lower end is shot from a lack of lubrication. I would not invest too much into that engine. Good luck.

Again first off...thanks for correspondence!

When I first discovered the water in the oil in mid summer 05 I quickly ran new oil/filter through engine not once but twice without running more water through the block! Not 100 hours, more like 100 seconds! (boat is stored on a lift out of water and never bottom painted..anyone interested? ;-) It ran fine. Then about a week later it would not turn over. I heard some weird sound and then all it would do it make a short click sound...nothing else. And that is where I am today almost a year later on a boat that once started each year on the first attempt! I admit my winterizing was not a complete as it probably should have been. Ran carb fogger, 50/50 antifreeze till it shot out the exhaust, stabilize the fuel and changed the oil/filter. That worked for 17 years since my father owned it.

I want to investigate but I need more easy to try suggestions that gradually get harder.

How about a new crate engine?

Thanks

First pull all the spark plugs and see if it will roll over with starter.If not try by hand and long cheater bar.If it won't turn probably best to start looking for replacement.

I would try to get closed cooling system if I ran in brackish water.

good luck Munday

pull all of the plugs and hit the starter if it turns over then it was hydro-locked and you have water in the cylinders and most likely a blown head gasket.

I am an admitted ambulance chaser when it comes to boats. So if its not on the west coast.... Anyway good suggestions on pulling the spark plugs and cranking over but I have been there before and those heads are going to have to come off one way or another. That water got in there somehow and the damage needs to be surveyed. My guess is 25 years with brackish water has taken its inevitable toll. Under a grand in parts is possible even if you need a new block but your going to need to be real handy with the steel if you know what I mean, and that assumes you have things like an engine lift, stand, torque wrench etc.

My two cents worth is: Do what you have to do, but do once and do it right regardless of cost.
I think 81 Barefoots SHARP.
Quote: Advise can be easy to give and hard to take.