Winterize without outdrive

[ljs22]

I have a 1977 mercruiser 120 That I am unable to afford the parts and tools (shift cable tool, alignment bar etc.) to repair until next spring. Right now the drive is sitting in the garage and the boat is sitting in the driveway. Can you winterize a boat with the sterndrive removed? I have it torn down to the point where the drive bell housing is sitting on the workbench and there are no bellows, hoses or shift cable left on the boat. Can the engine still be started this way in order to get the oil hot and fog and stabil the motor? Could I hook a garden hose to the water tube to get water up to the engine water pump? I am just not sure about running the engine without the drive shaft in place.

Any useful advice would be appreciated.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Winterize without outdrive

yep you can run it just fine.

Just stick your garden hose in the hose that comes up from the transom. Use a hose clamp or something to keep it into place.
It is going to leak water like crazy, so make sure you hold it off to one side (don't let the thing drip all over the starter/alternator etc)

 

[ljs22]

Re: Winterize without outdrive

Can't I just make a adapter with a garden hose fitting at one end and just the hose at the other and clamp it on to the water tube coming out the back of the boat in the gimble housing?

 

[krisnowicki]

Re: Winterize without outdrive

I use a washing machine hose it is small enough to fit in the hole