Hello, I have a 5.0L 4valve Mercruiser (GM so I think its a 305 chev) engine in a 1988 bayliner. I am brand new to boating and just picked up my first boat. I am now ready to start the motor but I need a basic understanding of the cooling system first. The only spot that I see that might be a place for the engine to recieve water is on the right side of the boat just below what would be the water line. This line goes directly into what would be the thermostat on a car? Is this where the engine recieves its water from? There is one big hose that goes from the water pump to the thermostat. Then from the thermostat there are two smaller (apprx 3/4" I.D.) hoses that go to the exhaust manifolds and I asume the water goes out from there? That is all the lines that I see. I really need to know if I can run the engine out of the water with a hose in the inlet line, or if the boat needs to be in the water also. If someone could please clear this up for me it would be greatly appreciated.
