exhaust in the water jacket

[drf]

thanks for the serial number information. any one know why there would be exhaust pressure in the water jacket keeping water out. could it be the exhaust cover gaskets? thanks for any help.

 

[drf]

hello the motor is a 1985 mercury 50 horse . i removed the brass plug between #2and#3 cyl. and exhaust was pulsing out of the hole. i later removed the water cover over the head area and looked for cracks, used soap and water didn't see any. i then removed the exhaust cover the bolts seemed loose to me. i found near one of the bleed or pasage holes what looks like the gasket may be eaten away. does this sound like the problem?