running it out of the water

ncwest39

Seaman
Joined
Oct 21, 2003
Messages
51
Hello Guys<br />I would like to run my engine on land ,I would like to tune it up and adjust the carb,what do I need to do to run the boat without putting it in the water.The motor is a 300 tempest with an alpha one drive,Thanks
 

Boatin Bob

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Sep 24, 2001
Messages
1,858
Re: running it out of the water

Shouldn't be a problem to put a set of muffs on the lower unit and then attach a garden hose. Don't let RPM's go above 1000 or so as you might not have enough water supply to keep the engine cool.
 

mjs22

Cadet
Joined
Oct 2, 2003
Messages
14
Re: running it out of the water

you need a garden hose and a suction cup fitting to supply water to the engine water intake. available at most Walmarts. Pretty cheap less than $10. Keep an eye on engine temp to be sure supply is adequate.
 

flashback

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jun 28, 2002
Messages
4,018
Re: running it out of the water

One word of caution, stay clear of the business end while doing this...
 

Jason Adam

Cadet
Joined
Oct 27, 2003
Messages
22
Re: running it out of the water

DO NOT spin your prop for an extended period of time out of the water. The lack of resistance from the water on the prop can cause damage to the outdrive. Other than that, running it is fine, just need, as mentioned above, a good set of muffs.
 

zzzzz

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jan 13, 2003
Messages
1,094
Re: running it out of the water

if you can get a set that has dual feeds(one to each cup)you'd be better off :cool:
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
13,222
Re: running it out of the water

And make sure no one puts in the wash or takes a shower at your house while you are running it since it may drop the water pressure enough to overheat the motor.
 

tylerin

Commander
Joined
Jul 25, 2003
Messages
2,368
Re: running it out of the water

Turn on the water before you start the motor and turn off motor before you turn off the water!
 

GLanguell

Cadet
Joined
Nov 1, 2003
Messages
6
Re: running it out of the water

One thing no one mentioned. I don't know what the optimum water pressure/volume you need in the garden hose but this happened to me....<br /><br />I went to put our 4.3l OMC in this season. I draged the boat to the house from storage, hooked up the muffs, cranked on the hose, fired up the OMC and everything ran fine. Kept an eye on the temp. Sweet sailing I thought! I shut off the engine, turned off the hose, grab the wife and headed to the lake. I was SO confident that when my wife asked if was gonna take some tools along I said "WHAT FOR!" "It runs GR-R-R-R-R-EAT!"<br /><br />We get to the marina's launch and the boat cranked real slow. I was a bit perplexed. The marina bought out a battery booster...same condition...it would barely turn over....<br /><br />The marina brought out a new battery....SAME THING! It would just barely turn over... Then the marina guy says, "Hmmm...sounds like you hydorlocked the motor." Being kinda new to boating I had no clue what he meant. <br /><br />Well it seems when I shut off the motor at home the water pressure from the hose filled up the cylinders in my 4.3 OMC. We took the boat back to the cottage, removed all the spark plugs and cranked it over and over. The water WAS flying everywhere!! Then oiled the cylinders down and ran the engine. O! Here is an important step...change the engine oil if this happens to you! There will be water in it.<br /><br />So next year I'll use the garden hose and muffs, but the hose only goe on 1/2-way and not full blast. I'll have someone turn the water off at the moment I shut the motor down.<br /><br />While at my local marina the other day I saw a mulated rod out of a Merc 4.3. I asked the Parts jocky what happend to it...his direct quote was "Thats what happens when you hydrolock a 4.3..." That brought the lesson home for me and I counted my blessings! Take your time and be careful.<br /><br />Good luck in the future,<br /><br />Geno
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
13,222
Re: running it out of the water

Weird, I can run my 88 OMC 4.3 at full water pressure and have never had a problem with water in the cylinders. You sure you don't have a leak in the manifold that is letting water in the cylinders?
 

crazy charlie

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
5,602
Re: running it out of the water

Some motors will take water in if you leave the water running after the motor is turned off.Of course you can leave it on for the 30 seconds of so that it takes to get out of the boat and turn the faucet off but i put a $1.99 on/off at the end of the hose so you can turn it on and off from the muffs.There is something called valve overlap which allows for better running and combustion but it will allow the motor to take in water if it is forced in without it running.Charlie
 

crazy charlie

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
5,602
Re: running it out of the water

NCWEST39,be careful that the muffs dont slip off the drive while it is running on the muffs.It may even slip off the intakes and it will look like it is in the right place from up in the boat when if fact there is no water going to the drive.Once I get the muffs in place i take a metal shish kabon spear and push it through the middle of the muff until it goes into the vent.Now it cant slip at all.Charlie
 

MrBill

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 4, 2002
Messages
710
Re: running it out of the water

The problem that GLanguel experienced is why all the manuals specifically state that when using muffs, turn on the water at half rate.
 

Spidybot

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 4, 2002
Messages
1,734
Re: running it out of the water

If you can, use a barrel or container. This simulates real conditions and even helps silencing the exhaust.
 
Top