I wish I knew where the water was comming from. I was never able to
get my big ars deep enough into the bilge and behind the engine to see.
Didn't have a mirror either. Boat is now out of my hands, so getitng
video is out of the question.

I don't believe it's a problem with the exaust or exhaust tube. .
..although it could be. Reason I say no is because the engine was
running for probably a total of 10-15 seconds before I noticed and then
shut the engine off. Even after that 10-15 seconds. . .the exaust
manafolds were warm. When water is running though it. . .they take a
lot longer (like minutes) to be warm. So I think it's a problem with
the water on the way in from the outdrive. Another reason is.. .even
with the engine off. . .there was water leaking off the back of the
engine. . .this appears to be from the watter pressure from the hose
connected to the outdrive. Disconnecting the hose. . .supprise
suppirse. . .stopped the leak. I can't imaging the hose having
enough water pressure to push the water completly though the block and
exahust manifolds without the water pump in the outdrive running.

If it was a cracked block. ..wouldn't water in the oil be a near
certainty???? I'm fairly mechaniacaly inclined. . .I just helped by
friend rebuild his 1965 396 Big Block for his Vett. . .so I know a
little something. There wasn't any water in the oil.

All I really know is that a lot of watter was "flooding" (for lack of a
better term) off the bottom back of the engine. I don't think any
water was actually getting into the engine. Reason I say this is
because I removed one of the drain plugs. . .and antifreeze came out.
Also the exahust ports on the transom and though the prop were bone
dry.

With regards to anti-freeze and draining. The shop manual I have tells
you that at the minimum you should run anti-freeze though the engine,
but only after the engine is at operating temp. They recommend pulling
the drain pluggs for added assurance. . .but I've never seen the need
as I and many others have done the anti-freeze option for years without
problems. However. . .you can be damn sure that I will change my ways
next season.

I guess I'm wonering if there is a hose connecting the water intake
from the outdrive to the engine block. . .I would think there would
have to be! Possible that it fell off. . .is it easy for a thin person
to access and fix. . .does the engine have to be removed? Or is the
water intake connection a solid pipe from the transom to the engine?