Winterizing

Check out the info in this thread for water hook up options.

As far as winterizing goes, you should ALWAYS drain the block. I prefer the pour in method per the manual for the antifreeze.

You gotta have a boat in the diaries... and then add the diary ID # to your forums profile.

As far as getting the picture up, it took me a while to find my diary id #. I found it by going to my diary and clicking modify this post, then it popped up at the top. Maybe its somewhere else but thats how I found it?

I have always pumped it in just don't use diluted antifreeze. I might make a fitting an pump it directly into the block this year.

Tim

TRBenj wrote: Pumping it in seems like more trouble than its worth- at least for a DD application... but as long as you DRAIN FIRST, the method should be just fine.

So you just pull the top off of your tstat?

What about the circ pump? Are there places where water without antifreeze can end up?

TRBenj wrote: Pumping it in seems like more trouble than its worth- at least for a DD application... but as long as you DRAIN FIRST, the method should be just fine.

I totally agree with Tim. I feel most people who get in trouble with the pump through method don't drain first. They may at first but then hear about someone who just pumps and they give it a try. By the time you goof around with the fittings and attaching a means of delivering the antifreeze, I'll be done in have the time by just pulling a hose off and using a funnel. The other thing is you use way more antifreze than is needed by pumping. I know Tim uses a couple of gallons but I've only used about 1/2 gallon on each engine through the years. (about a quart on the Atom's 4 cylinder!)

behindpropeller wrote: So you just pull the top off of your tstat? What about the circ pump? Are there places where water without antifreeze can end up?

Tim,
The Tstat doesn't need to come off. The hose from the RWP to the Tstat is where you want to pour the antifreeze. The antifreeze will seek it's our level via the circ pump port to the block. It will find the low spots where water may be trapped. The block drains really do get the water out. With a angled engine, and the starbord side being forward on block, just lower your trailer jack stand or if it's hanging raise the aft end higher.

behindpropeller wrote: Drain the block. Restart engine with hose in the antifreeze and fog it while it is sucking the antifreeze into the block. The only catch is the tstat has to be open.

The t-stat does not need to be open. Look at my pictures, the block will fill (if drained) irregardlessly with the suck method.

when the cold weather dips into the teens I simply go out and drain the blocks i didnt get to that day, we'll go by statistics, i would say close to a hundred, havnt popped one yet. the anti freeze is a bonus i guess but never hits the top of the engine and you do see corrosion up there from time to time. to much worrying. at the minimum if you drain the block and manifolds you are safe

emccallum,
How do you fill them ?

Question about the boat angle on the trailer . Should I be raising and lowering the jack with the block drains open to make sure all water is out ? I have an 88 351 and a 98 with a GT40 I drained everything but didnt rock it up and down, should I be worried ? On both I have pumped 5 gals antifreeze in till it ran out the exhaust.

When I lowered the the boat, only a little came out the front. So I sent some AF into that drain after the boat was at the normal angle again. It only took a little there just in case there was some water trapped at the very bottom.

if you do pump it, any more than 2 gallons is waisting the AF,

Does that include the heater core and hot water tank for the shower or is that another 5 gal?

harddock wrote: If the boat is at the right angle the exhaust will hold a lot of anti freeze before it comes out. Maybe that's how they get 5 gals in there.

5 is quite a bit- I can get about 3 gallons in mine, though I do have some heater lines running up to the bow that may get filled. I usually keep pouring in until I hear the A/F bubble up past the riser on my '90. My Skier doesnt take much less- I pour that in through the large circ pump hose.