Uh oh. No flow.

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Doons
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri May 08, 2015 12:20 pm
Location: Pembrokeshire

Uh oh. No flow.

Post by Doons »

I've bought a 73 Silver Century Longshaft Plus off a local, to power my '64 Silhouette (which has come on a bit since the picture). I live in a coastal location; but its not a local engine. History is mostly unknown; only know it was bought at a boat jumble two years ago and been in his shed since. It starts easily, is all there and looks exactly as an unrestored ex-shed seagull should. Fuel tank remarkably dent free. Proper string supplied.

Did the recommended checks, wiped it down, oiled and WD'd. Set up in a test bin and ran the engine as much as I dared, with a good rev or two because the blocks a long way up; but nothing appeared from the outflow and things started getting hot so I shut down.

Block looks solid, no visible cracks and flushes clean and easy in both directions. (Thanks SOS for the tip; mastic nozzle on the hosepipe). Engine starts and runs. Water 2" above exhaust. Prop drive disengaged - does that make a difference? Don't think it does but I'll mention. Says on here that it won't be the impeller unless someone's been a numpty.

Next step, unless collective wisdom suggests otherwise, means clear the bench; get the tools out. If I read it right the sequence should be:

Foot off, check the impeller's there intact and not upside down
Check pipes and waterways are clear and/or attached as they should be
Poke about in holes with a twisted stiff wire, mine for gunk, hope for an obvious blockage in the waterway
Reassemble, touch wood and try again.

Or is that too optimistic, its bound to be a block full of crud (if so, hows the water getting though? Through the bits that have rusted away :shock: ?)

Perhaps better to man up, get the head off and see what's inside. What do you recon?
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Oyster 49
Posts: 3318
Joined: Tue Oct 26, 2010 6:55 pm
Location: Derbyshire, UK

Re: Uh oh. No flow.

Post by Oyster 49 »

first thing, remove the head and give the water ways a really good clear out. reassemble and try again. note though that water flow at Rickover is often quite low or nothing, so test in the tank at a higher ticker over, with the prop removed.
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