Just figures
 

With the big plans of installing the new to me 3.7 1987 mercruiser this weekend i decided yesterday to change the oil pan plug with a petcock with a hose barb. i drained the oil only to find water in the oil , not hevy but enough to know it's water. Dont know why i did not see this when i pulled the dip stick. now with all i have heard about the normal head gasket problems i pulled out my clymer shop manual and did the following (keep in mind i'm a carpenter not a mechanic) Drained collant, removed valve cover, called away to hospital as daughter has bouncing baby boy :clap: Today removed intake/exhaust manifold. now is this where i can expect to find the most common problem? or am i continuing onto the removal of the head if so what is it exactly am i looking for, Thanks.

No idea on how to fix the motor but CONGRATULATIONS on the new grandson!!!

CONGRATS!

I had a old straight 6 chevy 250 in mine and the first time it had water the head had rotted (raw water cooled) the 2nd time the manifold was rotted, neither was a cheap fix!!

GOOD LUCK!!