Chrysler Inboard / Outboard Fresh Water Intake Problem?

[Phil]

I have a 1973 Chrysler commodore 2 cabin cruiser with a 318 v8 chrysler inboard engine. I just bought it. I put it in the lake and the engine runs great but the water was not flowing through the system. We have hooked the hose up to it and ran it on land and it worked fine. I am new to boats, am I missing a prep step to get the water pump going or is the pump broken? or any other issue? How can I check to see if it is the water pump?

 

[tony b]

hi..... when you ran it on land did you have it in a bucket of water??
Also.. when you put it in the water was it in a muddy area.
Also.... when you got it home does it pump water?
On these inboard out board there are two water pumps... one like the car engine.. runs via a belt and then then theres one like an out boarmotor impellor type in the out drive..
Now if its still pumping water when ideling on land then check the belt ... it may be slipping... and when you increase the revs the belt slips so much that it doesnt turn the water pump. This is eay to check just like you would check on your car push the belt see if theres any play.......
If there is then ajust it via the ajuster on the pully. If it isnt this then you may have to get a mechanic to change the impellor in the out drive.. I have done many on outboards but I hav heard they are awkward on out drives. Then you may have to check the boat motor water pump too.. ..... It may need replacing. depending upon where it is it can be very easy like on a car or a total nightmare where the motor has to be lifted out of the boat. I have a feeling you should be able to do it with the motor in the boat.......
One last thing...Before you strip everything down... check the water pick up on the out drive and check to make sure the pick up isnt clogged... this is a small screen and easily get blocked.
Good luck with your boat.