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Leaking rear of 1970 318

S

skipper john

New member
I have a 1970 Uniflite Express w/partial hard top and twin 318's. It was not winterized properly and most of the freeze plugs poped. We have replaced most of the but upon start up, now have water leaking from behind the bell housing on the port engine. I understand there are 2 more plugs behind the housing but what I don't understand is how to get at them. The hard top stops us from lifting the engine out so I was wondering if anybody has any experience and a procedure for us to proceed.
 
You have to take the bell housing off or slide the engine to get at them.
No other way around it......
 
Thanks for responding. I guess that is my problem. How do i separate the two far enough to get in there and replace the plug? The hard top will not let me lift the engine. There is not enough room under the engine to get a jack in? There does not seem to be room. Do you know how to go about doing the separation?
 
Did not know the hard top came off. I guess anything comes off but can a amateur take it off AND then put it back on.
If so, any in site how? Or if I connected the drive shaft, some how hold up the engine, disconnect the bell housing. Might it all slide back far enough to get to the freeze plugs? Does that sound like an option?
Any experience which would be easier (or more practical)?
 
I used two small 2 ton hydraulic jacks and a lot sticks and blocks to raise my 318's for replacing rear crank shaft seals. You can raise them with a good pry bar, these engines are not that heavy.............Ray
 
Remove the rear mount bolts, raise the rear of the engine and put a tapered block under the rear of the oil pan. Remove the transmission, the bell-housing, the drive plate, and fly-wheel. You can then reinstall the old plug if in good shape or put a new brass one in. Retorque the fly-wheel bolts to 55 ft-lbs......Ray
 
Awesome, I think now I have the info needed to proceed. Having never done this before I was a little reluctant to just unbolting with out a plan. Did not want to end up with a "Yard Boat". Thanks again. John
 
Bye the way. I was told I needed a special tool to disconnect the drive shaft. Any in site? This is my 3rd boat with Chrysler engines and never had a problem, though all before were Velvet Drives.
 
Dose it have a standard coupling with four bolts, remove them. You can see pictures of my 27' Uniflite on Yacthworld.com on the bottom of page 7 in the Uniflite section......Ray
 
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