Running engine w/o sterndrive?

[austin123]

I have a boat recently bought and have sterndrive out for various reasons (see previous posts) and have not tried to run the engine yet. Is there any reason why I cannot run the engine without the sterndrive fitted to get it tuned up etc?<br /><br /> Obviously I would feed water from hose to motor for cooling.<br /><br />1988 Stingray SVB 176<br />3.0L In Line 4 cylinder with Mercruiser Alpha 1.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Austin.<br /><br />PS I have to say that I am very impressed with the help from everybody on this forum especially as I am new to boating.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Running engine w/o sterndrive?

Probably be pretty loud, but I don't see any reason why you couldn't. I don't know much about inboards though...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Running engine w/o sterndrive?

Obviously I would feed water from hose to motor for cooling.

Yep,<br /> No Reason Not Too......

 

[austin123]

Re: Running engine w/o sterndrive?

Whilst on the subject, when using the flushing connection on a sterndrive I have heard that it is not good to use full water pressure? Is this true and if so why?

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Running engine w/o sterndrive?

Yes...not sure why.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Running engine w/o sterndrive?

If you were using Muffs,<br />It Really Doesn't Matter..... They'll Bleed Off the excess.......<br />Depending on Your water pressure,+ How you hook it up....<br />You Could have Problems..........<br />The System doesn't want to see much over 15lbs of Pressure........<br /><br />If Your house has 60lbs., You Could Pop a Gasket or Two.....

 

[austin123]

Re: Running engine w/o sterndrive?

Thank you!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Running engine w/o sterndrive?

Hello<br /> Britman<br /> with muffs you could use a 100 pounds and it wont matter. the wide open thing came years ago when motors liked to use mechanical clamp on flushers and threaded in flushers. on that type it matters. on the muffs there is no way you will ever hold that much pressure. the rubber cups simply wont seal that tight.now the flush devices that clamped on with screws and threaded in the cases were a differnt issue. <br /> getting back to your question,yes as long as you have water supplied you may run it without the leg. remember to shift back to fwd gear before trying to replace the drive.<br /> the easiest way is to remove the hose from the inside of the hull and hook up a garden hose.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Running engine w/o sterndrive?

Kinda never made sense to me, because even if you only open the valve 1/2 turn, you will still build the same pressure, just slower. When the engine is running is one thing, but when you shut down the motor (or before you start it) you will quickly get full main line pressure in the system no matter how far it's opened.

 

[vinney]

Re: Running engine w/o sterndrive?

You can hydro the engine by running it without the drive on. When the drive is on the water is supplied when the engine is turning/running. We run engines without drive but always dont run the water unless the engine is running and turn the water off befor shutting the engine down. I always refire the engine with no water on to make sure no water got pulled in the exhaust. The exhaust flapper are only open when the engine is running and you can force water in thru the exhaust. I've done it befor.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Running engine w/o sterndrive?

Good Point Vinney..............

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Running engine w/o sterndrive?

Ditto Vinny!!!!!!! Unfortunately been there done that.When running without muffs,start motor first then turn on water at 1/2 force and most importanr is ti shut water off first and then turn off motor.Valve overlap can be a killer .Charlie