Since I've owned my boat, '99, I've always drained the exhaust manifolds and block for winter storage. Put in some antifreeze in the hose at the water pump and be done with it. But, got to reading around in here and made me think of something that's been on my mind. I hear a lot about exhaust manifolds rusting out. Because of this, after I take the boat out of the water and get ready to store it, I go ahead and drain the manifold and the block with the thinking that keeping water out of them has got to be better than letting them sit full of water for a week or two at a time. I'm wondering if this helps prolong the eventual rusting out of the manifold. On my engine, the exhaust manifold is still the original, factory installed one. I do notice small bits and pieces of rust coming off the exhaust manifold that gets trapped inside the hollow 7/16 brass plug. From what I've read, that is normal, or to be expected. But what about the block? It doesn't seem to have any telltale signs of corrosion. Is there a difference in the metal? You think I'm wasting my time draining it out after use? I usually take the boat out at least once every two weeks throughout the summer, which is from May to September around here. When not in use, the boat is stored dry in a metal enclosed stall.
I had also thought about creating a piece of pipe with the 7/16 threads on one end and make like a drain extension coming off of the exhaust manifold, if you will. On the other end, have something like a valve on it that I can easily open and shut to drain the water instead of having to take the plug off every time. I don't know, just thinking..............
I had also thought about creating a piece of pipe with the 7/16 threads on one end and make like a drain extension coming off of the exhaust manifold, if you will. On the other end, have something like a valve on it that I can easily open and shut to drain the water instead of having to take the plug off every time. I don't know, just thinking..............
