"I have a restored 1972 Trojan
"I have a restored 1972 Trojan Sea Raider with Mercruiser 215 (Ford 302 V8) inboard, Velvet drive 71C 1:1 tranny.
While performing an anual tune-up, I noticed a small stream of water coming from the underside of the starter motor. I removed the starter motor and observed rust inside the motor as well as along the teeth of the fly wheel. There did not appear to be any water standing in the bell housing. After re-installing the starter motor, she cranked over and ran fine, no leaking at first, but after a while the stream of water started coming out of a small hole (1/8" diameter) in the underside of the starter motor. There is no water in the engine oil or transmission and the engine does not overheat. In fact, she starts and runs great. A friend thinks there is a freeze plug on the back side of the engine block inside the bell housing and forward of the fly wheel. Is that true? Early in the season, I did discover a freeze plug missing during spring commisioning on the starboard aft side of the engine. I replaced it with an expansion plug and seemed to be OK. Any ideas?"
"I have a restored 1972 Trojan Sea Raider with Mercruiser 215 (Ford 302 V8) inboard, Velvet drive 71C 1:1 tranny.
While performing an anual tune-up, I noticed a small stream of water coming from the underside of the starter motor. I removed the starter motor and observed rust inside the motor as well as along the teeth of the fly wheel. There did not appear to be any water standing in the bell housing. After re-installing the starter motor, she cranked over and ran fine, no leaking at first, but after a while the stream of water started coming out of a small hole (1/8" diameter) in the underside of the starter motor. There is no water in the engine oil or transmission and the engine does not overheat. In fact, she starts and runs great. A friend thinks there is a freeze plug on the back side of the engine block inside the bell housing and forward of the fly wheel. Is that true? Early in the season, I did discover a freeze plug missing during spring commisioning on the starboard aft side of the engine. I replaced it with an expansion plug and seemed to be OK. Any ideas?"