1st big boat and inboard motor 4.3 .unwinterizing boat do I add water to engine

evil-eye

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I bought a 21' 1986 sportcraft in great shape.the guy I bought the boat from put everything back from winterizing the boat.I got the boat home and double checked everything.And everything is good and ready to start my 4.3 codra.

But before I run it on muffs for 5 min then I will bring it to the launch.Do I somehow fill the system with water or it will fill itself when I run it on muffs.this I my first I/o so I'm not sure how to fill the engines water system.
Thanks
 

MikDee

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Re: 1st big boat and inboard motor 4.3 .unwinterizing boat do I add water to engine

It will fill itself from the hose. First thing you do is put the Muffs on it, then open your house valve about 1/2 way,,, Then begin looking for leaks, as the previous owner might have dry stored it, and left some drain plugs out on the sides of the block, and manifolds. If so, then look closely in the area's where waters coming out, and you will get a general idea as to what areas to look next. If the plugs are out, then you'll have to put them all in with some light thread compound to seal them. If it all looks okay, & dry, then proceed, and open your hose valve just enough that it's not overflowing. Once water starts coming out the drive, and, or prop, crank it up to start. Put the engine in neutral, with the throttle lever pumped 1/3 way once, then keep it there, to actuate the accelerator pump in the carb, & set the choke. Then hit the key to start. Next watch your oil, & water temp. gauges closely for overheat (over 170-180*). Good Luck, Mike
 

wrench 3

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Re: 1st big boat and inboard motor 4.3 .unwinterizing boat do I add water to engine

If the raw water pump is in good shape you may not get water out of the drive/prop until the engine starts. It will take a minute to appear after the engine starts. But keep an eye on it to make sure it starts flowing.
 

Lou C

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Re: 1st big boat and inboard motor 4.3 .unwinterizing boat do I add water to engine

The water is going to come mostly from between the transom mount and the drive when running on the water hose. It won't come out the prop unless you rev the engine more than you usually would on the muffs. If the engine is totally dry its not a bad idea to fill the hose that goes from the thermo housing to the transom mount with water (disconnect the hose at the thermo housing), this helps the impeller prime faster. I would fill the engine with water too (disconnect the big hose from the thermo housing to the circulating pump, fill it till water comes out the thermo neck. You don't really have to fill the manifolds because as soon as the engine starts the water from the impeller will go right out the exhaust. My reasoning for this is that the thermo has to have water around it to sense temp accurately and open when the engine gets hot.
 
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bruceb58

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Re: 1st big boat and inboard motor 4.3 .unwinterizing boat do I add water to engine

It will fill itself from the hose. First thing you do is put the Muffs on it, then open your house valve about 1/2 way,,, Then begin looking for leaks, as the previous owner might have dry stored it, and left some drain plugs out on the sides of the block, and manifolds.
The water will never get by the water pump until you start the motor.
 

jkust

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Re: 1st big boat and inboard motor 4.3 .unwinterizing boat do I add water to engine

When you start it in the driveway on muffs, keep the rpm's low while you are of course in neutral.
 

evil-eye

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Re: 1st big boat and inboard motor 4.3 .unwinterizing boat do I add water to engine

Thank you for your replies. Haven't started the boat yet But I Changed The Gear Oil In It -Looked Clean.so I still got grease fittings and lube up some things but she's coming along.
 

Lou C

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Re: 1st big boat and inboard motor 4.3 .unwinterizing boat do I add water to engine

cobra drain 1.jpgcobra drain 2.jpgcobra drain 2.jpg






Just checking....did you drain from the bottom, fill from the next plug up near the joint between the upper and lower gear units, with the top dipstick just sitting in the top cover hole to let out air bubbles? Did you get 2 QTs of gear oil in it? If not, DO NOT start it.

Articles & Instruction - Crowley Marine

Look in here....and bookmark those instructions.....
 
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