Alpha 1 drain questions

[Scaaty]

So, the neighbor that said she would take the damn boat in for service, bought used late this summer, comes over today and it not been touched. Too late to get in for service. No manuals. I have time to do something Sunday. I think its an Alpha Gen 1. It was run on the muffs and put in the garage. I need to run over there and get the lower unit drained and refilled, and its a Mercrusier 4 banger (think/guess 3.7 470?)FWC. Had a link to the lower unit manual, but I lost it somewhere. I think I know enough about draining the raw water parts on the FWC motor, and anything special I should know on the draining the leg? I know outboards and VP OD's, but little on the Mercruiser stuff. Any help thanks in advance. Good kid, lost her hubby, and with kids, she just got tied up. Can't get manuals until Monday, and won't get it to a dealer until spring for a needed tune-up. I just want to get it winterized so we get no freeze cracks. Thanks again, Robby

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha 1 drain questions

Here's the link to the outdrive manual, hard to say about the engine since it could be a 3.0 or a 3.7, both are 4 cylinder.<br /> Alpha I Service Manual #6

 

[Winger Ed.]

Re: Alpha 1 drain questions

If the outdrive is 'down', it will drain itself, including whatever is in front of the prop.<br /><br />The manifold should have a screw in plug under it towards the back, and the block will have a screw in drain plug/bolt near the back of it usually on the boat's Port side. <br /><br />That's about all there is unless it has a closed loop cooling system. If it has that, the engine should have anti-freeze in it, and the heat exchanger will have a drain, or you can just take a hose off it and let the quart or two of raw water dump into the bilge.<br /><br />If you have any doubts as to if you've drained everything or not, just hang a 100 watt light in there and close the engine cover. We've don't nothing but that several times over the years with V-8s that weren't drained at all and never lost a block or manifold even with temps. getting down into the mid-or low 'teens' overnight.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Alpha 1 drain questions

Thanks guys.......armed with tools and knowledge, "Hi'o Silver, AWAY---

 

[wvit100]

Re: Alpha 1 drain questions

Thinking your safe with a light bulb is a cracked block waiting to happen. In the past few years I can remember several snow/cold snaps where the electrical power was off for at least a day.