Deep Sixing Single Point Drain.

[lildinghy]

Hi, i recently bought a 2004 Caravelle with a 4.3 MPI and one of my first projects will be removing the single point drain system. I appreciate the effort you've put into this so far, but is there any way you could provide more clear step by step instructions. I'm confused about what I have to remove and what I have to plug. I'd love to be able to do this project myself.

 

[Maclin]

I started a thread on this in Non-Repair I/O and Inboards,

https://forums.iboats.com/forum/eng...-with-single-point-merc-draining#post10646631

Might be something in that you can use.

After reading it I think I will trade for an Outboard :facepalm:

 

[Bt Doctur]

Remove the hoses and fitting from the block drains and install brass plugs or Blue plastic drain plugs
Remove the manifold drain fitting and install standard manifold drain fittings
Remove pipe with 4 hoses and replace with brass or cap the 4 hose spouts

 

[alldodge]

Hi, i recently bought a 2004 Caravelle with a 4.3 MPI and one of my first projects will be removing the single point drain system. I appreciate the effort you've put into this so far, but is there any way you could provide more clear step by step instructions. I'm confused about what I have to remove and what I have to plug. I'd love to be able to do this project myself.

Need to find out what your serial number is. If it is between 0M300000 THRU 0M614999 then the below will work. If its not then need some more thought. If yours is different and has a bravo drive some other routing can be needed.

The hose coming from cool fuel to the single drain needs to be routed to the new thermostat housing

Thermostat housing


The check valve can stay where it is or can also be moved as pictured in the multi drain pic on the bottom

 

[GA_Boater]

lildinghy Welcome aboard.

Forgot to tell you a new thread was started as AllDodge rightly suggested.

 

[lildinghy]

Thanks!!! I will give this a try in the next month or so. I'll report back.

Engine serial is 0M662584.

 

[alldodge]

OK, with that serial number shows a different thermostat housing. I'll get back with after reviewing and looking for a bit

 

[alldodge]

Your exhaust manifolds and elbows are different, they are dry joint where Maclin's are wet. The wet manifolds may not be able to pass the same amount of water, or Merc wants to keep the manifolds warmer then the wet type. Don't know just trying to understand the changes.

The V6 will put out less heat but the same amount of water as the V8, so don't think heat will be an issue, but flow may be the issue. You could try it, but also could just get a thermostat housing with the Tee adapter and check balls. The Tee fitting will cause to reuse the elbow hoses which will attach to the Tee and elbows are not plugged. Everything thing else will be the same

 

[lildinghy]

Is the tee adapter and check balls a stock item? So if I understand correctly, i need to replace the thermostat housing that will have an extra port, and will need to attach a tee to that extra port with checkballs so that the flow can exit the exhaust manifold and enter the Tstat?

 

[alldodge]

need to replace the thermostat housing that will have an extra port, and will need to attach a tee to that extra port with checkballs

This part is correct, but the flow is incorrect

Water comes from the pump to the thermostat housing. What is not needed by the block, is sent to the exhaust manifolds and exhaust elbows. So the check balls reduce the amount of water going to the elbows to ensure the manifolds stay full.

The thermostat and check balls is a stock item in pieces. Here is a complete T-stat found
https://www.nlamarine.com/collectio...ermostat-housing-4-3l-350-black-scorpion-6-2l

 

[lildinghy]

I ordered the part and see the check balls on there. I look forward to doing the conversion. I'll report back on how well it works. Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[lildinghy]

How many total plugs do I need to get? It's hard to tell from the picture. I understand the two elbow will be used as drain ports on the exhaust risers and I understand I need at least one plug on the port side of the engine block. Is there another plug on the other side of the engine? Is there a procedure for winterizing a standard engine without the single point drain?

 

[alldodge]

Will need 2 - 90 degree with drains for the exhaust manifolds on the bottom
2 plugs one the block (one each side)
Need to drain the cool fuel module either by placing a Tee inline (where the single point is now)
The also need to drain the large hose to circulating pump hose, but can also just remove hose

Your raw water pump should also have a drain already on it

 

[lildinghy]

Raw water pump on the sterndrive? Where is that drain?

 

[Bt Doctur]

AD if referring to an engine mounted raw water pump . If you have a Bravo drive or a FWC motor .Alpha drives do not have a drain and have an impeller in the lower unit. Simply leave the drive in the full down position

 

[lildinghy]

Ok, got it. I was wondering why some engines have the drive mounted to the drive belt - depends on the type of outdrive. Thanks!