88' 268 DA Drowning My Motor

[The Magic Bus]

Hello Crew,

Looking for some advise.
Last year my J Hose split on the front of my motor, single 454, pumping water into the engine compartment while running on plane.
Nursed it back to dock and trailered it and drained.
Replaced Altenator, starter and had to change oil n filter 3 times until clean.
The motor runs fine and no issues......thank God.

My local boat shop is telling me that as high as the water was, almost over the batteries.
That water has entered a vent hole for the outdrive, and is between the rubber boots.
That my universals are running in a pocket of water, and may blow apart.
They are recommending a outdrive service, drain the water, grease or replace universals.

Being a Rookie, Im not sure that water can enter this area??
What is your spin on their opinion.

Thank you,
JR
The Magic Bus

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

Absolutely. Your outdrive's shaft is visible from the back of your engine which goes to the universal joint through a rubber bellows which in turn is running from your drive. Water can't get in from outside the boat due to the rubber bellows, but it is open to the engine compartment around that spinning outdrive shaft so any water inside the boat can get in around that shaft opening in the transom. Once the water gets in, there is no way for it to all get out. Tipping the drive up fully will help, but if the u-joints have been running in water it might be best to remove/replace them AND the gimble bearing that the final drive shaft slides through on it's way to the engine coupler.

 

[Getaway]

Yup, JB is correct.

 

[The Magic Bus]

Thanks guys....i appreciate your expenience.

JR
The Magic Bus