200 Mariner

[jobu]

Well, ran it yesterday and it is still spitting intermittantly...but not overheating. But when I ran it up it was rough early then would get over 4800 rpm. Changed fuel filter and water seperator and still topped at 48-4900 rpm not 5600 as it usually does. I talked to the mechanic and he seemed to think it might have a blown head gasket or O ring. He thinks its blowing air exhaust into the water jackets which is causing the pulse. There was also alot of water coming out of the upper exhaust below the upper tell tale. It looks like something I could handle myself so I will give it a shot on tuesday or at least open it up and see. I remember the last day I had it out last year...I was wailing on it with a three man tube and it wasn't running all that good then. He happened to have a similer motor apart and the heads look somewhat accessable.
Does any of this sound like it might make sense?
I have literally gone through the entire cooling system at this point and it all looks normal. Starting to really lose patience.
Joe