www.iFourWinns.com

It sure could be. Were you able to just put it back together without the flappers?

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Yep. everything went back together fine. The flappers where held in with a couple of rods that slid right out and the hole left by the rod was covered by the rubber boot that held the 2 exhaust pipes together. Everything looks like is should work out good.

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Troy
2008 Centurion Avalanche
1994 Four Winns Horizon 180 SE 5.0L OMC Cobra (Sold)
2002 Ford F150 Harley Davidson Edition (http://www.nhtoc.com) 378 hp & 465 tq at rear wheels
2008 Honda Accord EX-L w/Nav

Sweet. Please post again after you've used the boat and let us know how it performs. This is interesting. You might want to be a tad careful now about letting big waves hit you in the back (like coming off plane suddenly).

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Yea true that. I do my best to throttle down off plane instead of instantly killing power. But an emergency is an emergency I will do what I have to do.
We should be taking the boat out this week end. I will update on performance then. I just hope that was the cause and there isn't anything else wrong. I have looked over the engine, engine compartment and drive and nothing is out of normal.

_________________
Troy
2008 Centurion Avalanche
1994 Four Winns Horizon 180 SE 5.0L OMC Cobra (Sold)
2002 Ford F150 Harley Davidson Edition (http://www.nhtoc.com) 378 hp & 465 tq at rear wheels
2008 Honda Accord EX-L w/Nav

You're probably "ok" not using the exhaust seals ("flappers")

You're also probably ok chopping the throttle if required, but DO NOT turn off the key at high RPM/speed as that *could* put water up into the exhaust where it *could* be drawn into the the engine via an open exhaust valve. If that happens and the engine is turning very fast it would hydrolock the engine and possibly bend or break a connecting rod.

Also if your engine is prone to a little "dieseling" or Run-On, you could also suck a little water into the engine. If it turns backwards during a Run-on event it can also cause a hydrolock.

VP did discontinue using exhaust seals but I don't know when it was and I don't think it was with the Joint OMC/VP Engine/drives.


Mercury still uses them as far as I know.....


Cheers,


Rick

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1987 Four Winns Liberator 211, formerly OMC 460 King Kobra powered, replaced in 2006 by a 1997 Mercruiser 454/Bravo III

Well should I clean them up and reinstall them?
The motor runs great (knock on wood) and no dieseling or such. Should I take the safe road and reinstall them? And if so what would I clean them up with and lube them so the move easily?
Thanks!

_________________
Troy
2008 Centurion Avalanche
1994 Four Winns Horizon 180 SE 5.0L OMC Cobra (Sold)
2002 Ford F150 Harley Davidson Edition (http://www.nhtoc.com) 378 hp & 465 tq at rear wheels
2008 Honda Accord EX-L w/Nav

I'd definitely leave 'em out if it was me. I think the chances of a problem are very slim assuming it doesn't diesel. I was just pointing out that since they did away with the flappers the manuals do make a point of saying not to stop suddenly if you can help it. Even if you had to do so once in a blue moon, it probably would never cause a problem.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Well we just got off the water and the boat put away. Looks like everything is good. Plus I think this fixed an idleing problem I had every now and then. Plus it looks like it took care of the boat stumbleing on it self when going from idle to WOT fast.
I think all is good now. Knock on wood!!!!
Thanks for all of the help guys!

_________________
Troy
2008 Centurion Avalanche
1994 Four Winns Horizon 180 SE 5.0L OMC Cobra (Sold)
2002 Ford F150 Harley Davidson Edition (http://www.nhtoc.com) 378 hp & 465 tq at rear wheels
2008 Honda Accord EX-L w/Nav