If the intake, exhaust, and cooling fan have snorkels how else can water get in short of having the thing flip over? I don't see a flywheel on my little motor.
The flywheel is the fan on the top of the engine. I'd be really interested to see how you'd seal it. That map prove the biggest challenge.
Would small amounts of water be alright going down those fins?
The last time I know of this being dun was dun by making a water tight chamber for the motor and pipe every thing out of the chamber. The chamber or box was made out of sheet metal. The box was made big enough to hold the motor and battery. All seams were soldered.The top was made in four peaces and bolted together. 2, 4" pipes were used to vent and exhaust the box. The motor exhaust was piped out of the box. The fuel tank was moved to the front top of the box. The fuel line was piped in to the motor. I saw this thing work crossing a creak it was under water except for the fuel tank, the exhaust, and two 4" pipes.
Something to consider would be cold water touching a hot block could equate to a crack in the block. Very interesting project though!
I have run large bush hogs in a swamp before. What makes you think your "vehicle" will not sink and get stuck in wet muck and shore edges when even they do? Let alone half way out in the middle of the creek bed.Finally, could the concepts from this project be used on any other type of vehicle?