351w with auto trim, seems all four of my core plugs (freeze plugs) rusted out at the same time. Bilge filled up with water last time I was out and had me really confused as to how the heck water was coming in. The aft two plugs are accessible but the front two are behind the motor mounts and trim actuators. Anyone ever done this job without pulling the motor?
Howdy,
It might be helpful if you tell us what this is in? If it's a stern drive, you will of course, have to align if you disturb the engine..... If it's an inboard, maybe not.
Is it a salt water engine (raw water cooled)?........ If it is, and since you do not have brass core plugs installed, is your circulating pump a marine pump or is it an automotive pump? Does it have manifolds and risers that have been replaced recently or are they old?
All these questions may be an issue because if salt water cooled and the core plugs have corroded enough to "pop-out" it's possible there's other places in the engine to inspect for corrosion.
These core plugs were really "corroded"? or did they just "pop" out and you assume they were corroded and fell out? If they really did pop out, you may have had a freeze event which will push out core plugs but may be an indication of a cracked block. Check very carefully for leaks once you replace them.
After you get the new ones in, you should do a pressure check of teh block to ensure you don't have leaks.
Regards,
Rick
