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454xl msts

kevin_z

kevin_z

Regular Contributor
1995 454XL MSTS. I thought it was the V-drive going bad, but after posting on the tranny side, I think I have a engine issue. When I put engine in gear, it sounds like the V-drive is 'clunking'. I change the cap, rotor, plugs, plug wires. I took the port MSTS module and put it on the stbd. still noise from gear box. Did compression check. All o.k. there. Any ideas??
 
Does the clunking noise go away when the speed is increased a bit? Does it matter if put in forward or reverse gear? Make sure the firing order is not messed up.
 
It was not the V-drive. Did a compression check again with all plugs out and throttle wide open and cranked it for ten revolutions. Number 5 and 7 banks had no compression. Took the heads off and the head gasket was blown between those cyls. The valves, push rods, piston heads, all looked good. The riser gasket looked AFU. Have new gasket kit on order. Will keep updated once I get her back together
 
Be sure to CAREFULLY check the block where the break occured for a slot burned into the block. If so, it has to come out and be resurfaced or the new gasket will blow out immediately.

Hope it's okay.

Jeff
 
Thanks fastjeff. I was so excited just to fine the blown gasket, I have yet to even look at the matting surfaces. Plan on cleaning up the head, block, manifold, riser, intake, engine room, ect... in the morning and will INSPECT everything. It is getting HOT down here, i'm only good for a few hours. Will keep y'all updated.
 
Well, Replaced head gasket and still no compression in one cly. Took both heads to machine shop and they will lap the valves and check for cracks, and I will check the pistons for play and hope the rings are not messed up. Looks like not a lot of boating this summer.
 
Got the heads back. threee bent valve stems, warped, but no cracks. replaced everything again, good compression all the way around except one cyl. So now off to the boat yard and pull the engine for a rebuild. Pulling the motor could be easy if it were not for all of the extra stuff that has to go first. Engine hatch, seats, shore power/water connections, canvas, maybe radar arch, prop, shaft, v-drive ect...... It is a good thing we have a small fleet of boats to play with. This holiday week-end is a complete wash out. Cant go boating, cant work on the fleet, no grilling, do have a few cold beers in cooler so might not be to bad after all. updates will continue
 
WOW!! Been awhile. But got the engine out, rebuilt, and re-installed. All is fine. A lot bigger project than I thought. Not the engine rebuild part, but the rest. Of course once the engine got out of the hole, lets repaint it, re-do the bonding wires, rebuild the shaft seals, since the shaft is out, replace the strut bearing, fix the six blisters, paint the bottom buff and wax hull. 30 days on the hill but a lot of rain days. NOW a question, the choke (Crusader part # CRU-30232) is not available. I just need the choke rod. Any ideas??
 
Congrats on the successful repair!

Depends upon the carb you have (i didn't look it up)....

If you only need the link, a trip to the salvage yard may be in order...if there is a hot rod shop on the way, stop by there as they may have something. Could call Holley's custom shop if it one of their carbs - I've had lots of success with that group.

Down south, you may not need the choke - doesn't hurt to try as long as you secure the plate in the open position....

The last option would be to convert the carb to use an electric choke...if you go that way, I'd do both engines so they behave in a similar manner.
 
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