I need Help!!! I was removing my spark plugs to spray the cylinders last week winterizing the motor and water came out of two of the cylinders. Also there was water in the oil. I also could not start the engine before I started to winterize it.
Talking to a couple of people they said it could be a blown head gasket or the block could be craked. I just bought the boat two months ago had a survery done and it was said the motor was in good shape. The broker I bought it from said the motor was rebuild in 99. What I would like to know should I try to rebuild this motor or start new or another rebuild. It is stock merc 330 the boat is a Baja 240 Sport 1988 . I am also looking for more speed. The boat ran about 58-60mph. I am looking for at least 70mph or more. Any suggestions would be great.
Thanks ,
George

I could be a leaking riser gasket if you have stock exhaust. First thing, get that engine cleaned out and oiled before damage is done.

George,

Your getting some good advise. To add to your list of things to check, do a compression check on the motor, and if possible, perform a cylinder leak down test. It should definately point you in the right direction.

Good Luck

Garyt

I would definetly start with the exhaust. I had the same problem
but could not pin point the source. In my case the merlin head had a defective casting in the exhaust port which developed a pin hole and over time caused a larger hole with the salt water. Needless to say that caused a hydraulic lock and did alot of damage. Dont let this happen to you.

George, If you're looking to do some upgrading on your 330hp engine(s) then I just brought a previous thread to the top of the Technical Q & A section in discussing some of these upgrades that you might be interest in. The name of this thread is called:

"Hoppin' up my 330's---inexpensive route" go read it and it you have any further questions you can post them on that thread and we will help you from there.

George,I have 1989 baja 240 sport it runs about 77 the motor is not stock.I would do a compression check and also a leakdown check,if all seems OK then pull the manifolds off and have them pressure checked.magnifluxing will not work on them, also Ive seen the gasket between manifold and riser do the same thing if I can help in any way please contact me Ill help [email protected]

You've already got good ideas on possible causes.

Regarding speed, I run a outlaw 24' (same hull as you are running) w/ 502 EFI and 70 eludes me!! Also, your motor will have "cast" (NOT forged) pistons -- don't get too carried away with pushing more horse into that motor.

70 mph is tough to get on GPS. It takes a lot of HP!!

ALSO - I think you are running an ALPHA outdrive?!?!??!!?
That ALPHA will NOT take much more HP than you are running.
MAV

Thanks for the replys. I just hope I'm not to late,the temperature dropped in the 20's the past couple of nights,I just hope I got all of the water out.

I personally would get the engine up and running to burn the water out of the engine. Leaving the emulsified oil in the internals of the block all winter is not good. Changing oil will not get that out. I'd start it with new oil/filter. Get it as hot as possible, then change oil filter again, then run one more time. Use cheap oil for this. Lastly... do it all one more time, but with the oil you plan to run in the spring.

I think you can get to 70 with mods like Kaama talks about. A friend had a 87 240sport with a slightly modified 330 and was getting 65-67mph.

BT

I played around with power combos on the 240 sport. i still have mine, but its stripped and retiredlookin for a new home

last year we hit 73 with a 454/525hp 3 men on the boat with a imco 2"shorty and a labbed 23/3blade. a bit tough out of the hole but ran real nice once we got up.

this year in June we hit 77 on GPS with a 540/640hp, but that was minutes before we blew a brand new motor.

The boat tends to have a hook in the hull and will slow you up 3 to 5mph take a look at that as well.

I would recommend going 502 ci/ 575 hp and youll be doin ok. if you shop around, you might find a really sweet deal during the winter. a 540ci/625hp just sold for 4,500 on EBAY

good luck