first time drain block question gt 40

[rideone]

on drivers side i drained closest to the belts but there seems to be a second drain on that side located on the block above the starter? looks as thought it is a drain also given the rust around it .... do i drain this also ? any help is much appreciated for this is my fist winterization. thanks

[TRBenj]

That is not a drain, that is a rubber aftermarket plug that was installed in place of one of the original casting plugs. It does go into a water jacket, but that nut is whats holding tension on the plug, and is not a drain. I would recommend leaving it alone.

[rideone]

thanks TRBenj ! will leave alone . am i correct also to leave all drain plugs all out for the winter after draining the antifreeze i cycled through to make sure no water left ?

[Zach@n3]

If you are storing it dry make sure you angle the nose of the boat down to get the water that sits right there by that plug out. The previous owner probably didn't get all the water out of that small corner at one point and it popped the rear plug out. That or he knew about the small amount of water that hides there (some dumb reason ford put that block drain at the front of the engine ) and installed that to drain that remaining water from the corner. I have popped my freeze plug out back there once but the nose down procedure produces no plug popping.

[rideone]

Zach will take note and nose down to see if anything remains in there . thanks for the advice !

[Zach@n3]

The gear reduction boats engines sit at far less of an angle so it should be easy to get it all out. The 1:1 ratio engines have a lot steeper angle than your engine so you should be alright.

[TRBenj]

I dont like leaving the plugs out because the threads rust up and strip/break easier. As far as freeze protection goes, youre covered though. I have never had to put the nose of the boat up or down to get all the water out... Im guessing Zach may have had a partially clogged drain or something that prevented it all from getting out, causing it to pop a casting plug.

Just so its clear, you should be doing the following, in this order:
1. Drain water
2. Backfill with antifreeze (optional)

It sounds like you may have sucked up antifreeze before draining anything, which is just a waste of money.

[Brichter14]

On a side note. I park my boat in an insulated garage with a propane heater. I keep it 50 degrees in there so i just plan on draining the block. Will this be sufficient? Also, is it ok to change impellar and oil in the spring instead of fall?

[2001SAN]

Fresh oil for winter storage is recommended, especially if the oil hasn't been changed in a while. If the oil only has a few hrs on it then maybe not. My oil has 10hrs on it and I prob wont changed again for winterizing. Then again I might!

D.

[TRBenj]

On a side note. I park my boat in an insulated garage with a propane heater. I keep it 50 degrees in there so i just plan on draining the block. Will this be sufficient? Also, is it ok to change impellar and oil in the spring instead of fall?

As I said above, draining provides the full freeze protection required. Antifreeze is optional.

If youre due for an oil change, do it in the fall- dont wait for spring.

[Zach@n3]

Tim, I made the mistake of leaving the plugs out one season haha. Luckily the threads weren't messed up too bad. My drains are clear (fresh rebuild). My uncles PCM 351 Ski Supreme will push the rear plug out as well if you don't let the nose down. We have stored every boat dry with no antifreeze like Tim said.

[Zach@n3]

Dad uses a trick with a small diameter (like an oil pressure gauge line) tube and compressed air over the end to create a vacuum to suck the remaining water out of that corner.

[slob02]

do as Zach said.........or just throw some 100% antifreeze in there with the small amount of water.

[rideone]

Zach the nose down brought some liquid out! I will also try your dad's trick to be sure its all out. the do what Slobgear mentioned above. Just removed impeller and looks ok so storing for winter as advised. do i need to take the prop off? do not have a prop puller do i need to get one or is there a way to do it without?

[s_kelley2000]

There is no reason to take the prop off unless it is damaged and you want to get it repaired during the off season.