First time poster.

1977 Fiberform 670 hrs on 351 and VP 280 outdrive. Cannot get water to
the engine from the muffs or from a submerged outdrive leg. If hose is
placed in bucket from intake on Fresh water pump water is circulated
throughout engine fine. Back flushing through outdrive sprays water
from between the intake neck and the Cooling Tube that goes from the
upper to the lower outdrive.

I've looked in my book and can see no O-ring or anything that is
suppoed to go between the tub and the neck. Just a paper gasket and
some permatex under the neck. Is this really metal on metal contact
only? Is it supposed to suck air from here or am I missing something
else?

I have read quite a few posts dealing with cooling on this group and a
few seem to show signs of my problem but it seems that testing by
bypassing the outdrive is usually whats recomended to determine issues.
as stated earlier I have already tested in this manner and the results
are that it works fine. The upper cooling tube junction on the
outdrive seems to be the issue.

If I put the boat in the water will this be an issue as this "Leak"
will be below the waterline?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Shawn