draining engines

[craig stevens]

i have twin 1976 165 mercs and legs. they each have 3 drain plugs. i use the boat all year round so is there an easier way to drain them then pulling all six. 3 of them are tough to reach so any ideas would be appr.

 

[wire2]

Re: draining engines

I trust that means you're not in an area that drops below freezing?
You could extend a drain with clear urethane tubing to a spot you can reach easily. Replace the plug with an npt hose barb, slip the tube on and route it to the front of the engine, put the valve(s) all in 1 place. Ball valves need only ? turn to full open.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: draining engines

i have twin 1976 165 mercs and legs. they each have 3 drain plugs. i use the boat all year round so is there an easier way to drain them then pulling all six. 3 of them are tough to reach so any ideas would be appr.

If in Alaska, yer in deep do..Hawaii..well (get the hint ? WHERE DO YOU BOAT!)

 

[dvan1901]

Re: draining engines

I saw this retro fit drain system online somewhere. I uses clear plastic tubing (so you can see clogs) and it screws into your exhisting drain plugs and everything comes to a single drain point in the bilge area. You simply turn a couple, easy to reach, drains and it drains the whole system. Because of the clear tubs, you should be able to see if water is draining properly and is clear or full of debris. I'll see if I can find it again...

 

[dvan1901]

Re: draining engines

Found it...
http://www.minutedrain.com/points.htm

 

[Don S]

Re: draining engines

The only problem with any drain system is when the holes gets plugged up in the block and only part of the water comes out, without your knowing it.
Then when it freezes, the block cracks.
When draining the block and manifolds, it's always recommended to take a wire and probe the hole to make sure it isn't plugged, with rust, sand, mud, sillt or whatever.

 

[craig stevens]

Re: draining engines

thanks for the replies. i live in victoria bc. it doesnt freeze very often 3-4 times a year. i plan on draining after each use. pulling all six drains and lowering the leg is enough, is this correct. its rwc. today i put new drain cocks in all six but im having trouble geting 2 to tighten, both of the difficult ones to tighten are under the manifold so i cant get my tap & die set in there. i applied a gasket former to help hold them i'll find out tommorrow if this works. any better ideas would be appr.

thanks for the web site link.

 

[wire2]

Re: draining engines

1 time freeze will do it.

The likely reason the fitting are going in tight, is bits of rust from the block are in the way. Got access to an air line with a blower nozzle?

 

[craig stevens]

Re: draining engines

i did blow them out and used my wifes toothbrush. there not going in tight they just wont tighten

 

[wire2]

Re: draining engines

Does wife know?

 

[craig stevens]

Re: draining engines

i got the you aint getting any now look. is it possible to drill a bigger hole and put a decent drain in

 

[wire2]

Re: draining engines

i got the you aint getting any now look. is it possible to drill a bigger hole and put a decent drain in

Sure. I believe orignal hole is 1/4 NPT.
Can drill and tap to 3/8 or 1/2 NPT if you wish. Cast iron is easy. Put a magnet beside hole when drilling to catch chips, put grease on tap, same reason. Will keep them out of engine.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: draining engines

When tightening be aware that a pipe thread is a taper so the plug is not going to just bottom out, as long as your in there straight and at least 2 or 3 threads you'll be fine. And if you ever do try to get a pipe tap in there be carefull you dont get into a cylinder, there's not much space between the cylinder walls and outer castings.