Conference vicki::boats

    Bottom line......the water pump is shot. When they start to leak out of
    the hole near the bearing it means that the seal is going.....The
    bearing will start to deteriorate quicker because water is inside
    rusting it out....Boats and cars are no different in terms of water
    pumps leaking.....I just did my 88 T-Bird. Same problem as you
    mentioned; water coming out the hole on the underside of the pump and
    I've done a bunch in the past......
    
    steve

    Although I am not having a problem with noise, I am having a problem
    with my engine in my Four Winns with a OMC ostern drive.  I am having a 
    problem with the engine fast ideling after I've run it for a bit.  I
    put in in nutrall and rev the engine but it will not come down.  I have
    to turn the engine off and turn it back on to get the idel down.  I was
    told that the cable is streched out, so I have tightened it at the the
    engine (turn little plastic ring) and this helped for a while. The
    engine is a Ford 351 (5.8).  Has anybody had this problem and does
    anybody know how to fix it.
    
    Thanks Rick 

first re: my base note...

talked to OMC Tech Support - yup, the WP is shot, but luckily, I'm still 
under warranty.

Also talked about the noise.  Both FW and OMC indicated that my stern swim 
platform helps hold in the noise (it forms a small "band shell").  Seems 
logical.  Also, OMC does vent the bellows for higher displacement engines. 
OMC volunteered to talk directly with the service dealer to discuss 
alternatives to quiet it down.  They may replace the bellows with one that 
has no vents.  I was impressed that OMC volunteered both a solution and a 
willingness to work directly with the dealer.

re: idle

I too have problems with the idle getting back to "normal".  Sometimes a
wiggle helps.  Funny you should mention it, I'm in the process of doing a 
tuneup, etc. and I'm working on the low speed idle and mixture tonight.
The service book is very specific about how to hook up the cable.  If you 
don't have the book, I can paraphrase.  My -assumption- is that your 
connections are similar - the steps below are for my OMC stern drive - 
Model 302BMRPWS - I don't know if it works for yours...

o move control handle to first detent

o move handle back HALFWAY to the neutral position - the book indicates
  that this is essential to proper throttle adjustment - failure to do
  this may result in what it terms "hard shifting" when coming out of
  neutral.

o attach end of cable to carb, making sure the throttle is closed (you
  may want to hold it down)

o grasp thumb screw firmly and pull cable to take out slack (see note   
  below)

o move screw to align with clamp

o tighten clamp

from the book: "Unless backlash is removed before adjusting throttle cable, 
engine may not return to a consistent idle speed"

relative to a previous note on FW/OMC/Volvo merger/sale/etc. - seems I have 
the "best" of both worlds - a Four Winns with an OMC outdrive - it should 
be interesting.

/Chris

re          <<< Note 1073.3 by 26484::DeMers "APS Product Management" >>>
>                                 -< status... >-

	If the exhaust is noisier than others of its type, or if it is 
noisier than it used to be, the exhaust flapper might have torn loose.
This is a small rubber flap valve in the exhaust riser, basically its 
there to help stop a following wave from coming up your exhaust if you 
stop quickly and cut the engine  - -  say from about 15 or 20 MPH.  
BTW, you didn't say which motor you have, I know where the flapper 
valve is on the 4 cylinder, but would have to guess for it on the 6 or 
8.

	Reg

    FYI - I installed a "ventless" bellows and the noise is still there. 
    Seems the "bandshell" effect is too strong.
    
    /C

My brother and I stuck our heads over the stern to listen and view the
outdrive at initial acceleration and full throttle.  The noise
is coming from the exhaust relief located at the bottom of the
outdrive (near the zinc anode).  My understanding from OMC is
that this is used only at idle because of the water back
pressure in the rest of the drive. Once the boat is moving,
the exhaust is sucked out the back of the drive.  On mine, it
seems that most of the exhaust is coming from the transom.
We listened for two days to various boats with lots of
different transom designs - the FW explanation of the 
"bandshell" doesn't fly with me anymore.

re: the flapper - pls say more - how would a bad/broken flapper
contribute to increased noise?

/Chris