What should be done to winterize with engine out of boat?

[chris0061]

Thanks to those who helped me crank up the engine this weekend with the wire from + bat to + coil. Ran like a charm. My question now is what steps should I take to make sure it will store over winter? The elbows are off and the water is drained. It is a 1981 mercruiser 260 with the log manifolds. it will be stored under roof but in the cold. I just ran it for a minute to see if it ran like the owner said it did and it sounded great so I need to make sure the winter don't trash it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: What should be done to winterize with engine out of boat?

and the water is drained.

Ayuh,... As long as All the water is drained,... She'll be just Fine come Spring...
If ya wanta be anal about it, pull the sparkplugs,+ squirt some oil into the cylinders,....
I wouldn't, but whatever....

 

[chris0061]

Re: What should be done to winterize with engine out of boat?

ok Bond-o thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: What should be done to winterize with engine out of boat?

There are probably tens of thousands of boat owners in winterizing climates that do nothing more than drain the cooling system and call it good. Then boat next year, and the year after, and then it starts catching up with them. The winterization process is mostly about PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE, not fix it after it doesn't work.
Like Bondo, I wouldn't worry about anything but draining if it's a 6 month (winter) type thing and you will be running again in the spring. Now, if it may sit for 2,3 or more years. Then you really need to winterize it completely.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: What should be done to winterize with engine out of boat?

Well said Don 'nutcase