Hey guys I'm BIG time stumped here and need some suggestions as to what to look at!

Ok so took the boat out about a week ago to Piru ran fine all day but on the way back in started over heating at around 230, when I got home I pulled the jet cover in the boat to inspect found the shaft was rapped up with a bunch of lake grass... I must have sucked up a pile that I did not see on the way back in as I did not beach her all day.

Now I just can't get her to run right! Carb flooding and seems to be miss firing. So here's what I've done...

Pulled carb, cleaned her all out, new gaskets etc... Put it back in still flooding out. Adjusted fuel bowl and seems to be ok now. But here's question numer 1... When I turn engine over should I see fuel pumping into the carb? I'm not seeing any fuel unless I rev it.

Pulled plugs and replaced with a .045 gap, seemed to make starting a pain so I put the old plugs with .035 gap back in and it turns over fine, however its idleing ruff and when I give it gas it hesitates and POPS! Timing???

Also the temp gauge is reading about 120 at idle out of water on trailer, but when I touch water coming out of exhaust it feels like 500 very steamy. Water logs also seem to be very, very hot to the touch, is this normal?

A lot of questions here I know but I'm a complete newbie to the jet boat and the olds 455 so any suggestions on where I should start here would be greatly appreciated:)

Thanks

ok lets deal with one at a time . the carb at no you should not see fuel , only when you rev it. that the accelerator working. popping could be any number of things. you said that you changed the plugs?  id start with you may not have put the wires back on right??? just a guess. running it on a trailer and having the logs getting so hot you cannot touch them is an issue. how high do you have the water hose turned up? maybe not enough flow through them (ie hose , or still a clog) start there.

no if it was running fine before its not a timing issue. timing does not just move unless you turned the dist.check the wires again and walk them from the plugs to the cap.

no if it was running fine before its not a timing issue. timing does not just move unless you turned the dist.check the wires again and walk them from the plugs to the cap.

Yep plug wires are all good checked em 1 by 1. I have moved the dizzy since being back and tried to tune it by ear, lol don't think it worked that's why I'm leaning towards timing guess I should have included that in my first post above so I've picked up a whole new set of plugs, popped those in. Have picked up a timing light as well to check timing. Now if I can just figure this timing light out... Not getting a flash?

I would double check timinig. When I started mine for the first time after rebuild I set timing by ear and exhaust got super hot. after breaking out timing light which I should have done to begin with to set timing exhaust cooled way down.  I would try that fist thing. 

is your dist electronic or points?  my guess no spark back there. which would also explain the ruff idle. and the popping.

I guess its electronic its a cheap Pro Comp with a 2 wire hook up, no coil.

I'm wondering if she's flooding out because my batteries are half dead! Checked fuel bowl float seems to be fine, good fuel level and all. I think with the batteries half dead its making it difficult to start which in turn is making it flood out. Gonna get new batteries tomorrow and see if that helps.

Thanks guys for all your help here its greatly appreciated!!!:)

Plus after charging battery make sure your getting 12 volts at dist. quick check...make sure those wet with fuel plugs are dry also or replace

When you find TDC...thats #1 on your dizzy where the rotor's pointing. If you dont like that spot pull it re install dizzy to your liking then where your rotor's pointing at is #1. Then put your wires back on in firing order.

well before i give you the news! fire it up again and look at the oil pressure.tell me where its at?  and if it jumps with the knock.

well i had this whole thing written out and somehow its all gone. i really think your motor is too.   at least 1 rod bearing. if you have any questions orneed some help you can call me (831) 626-1301  Tony.

ok so I dumped my oil and I've got a bunch of metal shavings, so I'm sure I chewed somthin up pretty good!!! Looks like I'm gonna have to pull her out and have her rebuilt. Also found I have a leaking pan gasket now! So assuming I don't have an issue with the heads what should a good stock rebuild run me? (Parts and labor). Just looking to get an idea of the cost. And does anyone out there know of a good place to get it rebuilt near me, I'm in fillmore California about 20 min from Ventura.

Thanks

if he found metal pieces in the oil pan! there is no way he should even try to start that motor!!!! not if he wants it to be rebuildable!   

Somtimes,, the obvious things are overlooked.. Since you said it was running fine and then starting overheating because of grass in intake,, I'd tend to think that the running hot of the engine was a great indicator of the problem.. 7 and 8 cylinder prob has water in um mixed with unburned gas..Oldsmobiles don't like "no oil or hot oil" situations. Spark plugs and carb rebuilds etc are preventive maint. and won't fix overheated or abused engines.  An engine overheat and oil overheat lights are cheap insurance against these delimas.
     Sorry bout your bad luck.  But on the bright side,, you will have a new engine.