winterizing question

[schankla]

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I have a 1987 larson with a 4.3L omc I/O setup. Im trying to get it ready for winter, problem is the starter is locked up and its getting colder everyday. Last year i ran antifreeze through the muffs and that seemed to work as it was stored inside. however, i cant start it now to circulate the antifreeze through the motor. any suggestions and what and how to get it ready for the long north dakota winter?
also, it wont shift into neutral. this problem started about 2/3rds into the summer. ill be in forward and then go to shift into neutral and it just wont budge if i shut off the motor it shifts in fine. im thinking its the shift assist control (i think thats what its called).
and does anyone know where to get a good service manual i purchased the SELOC but it just doesnt seem specific enough for me.

 

[ziggy]

Re: winterizing question

i sure hope someone that knows the facts gives you a real answer soon. may even be to late. we've already had a hard freeze down south in nebraska. anyways, find the drain plugs and at least drain the water out of it. i don't know omc at all, but would guess maybe 1 on ea. side of the block, one on ea. manifold. maybe on the risers, drain anything that's low and may have water in it. frozen water is the enemy...
no idea with facts about yer shift problem.. i've only had mercrusers... and i'm still learning about them...

 

[Bondo]

Re: winterizing question

any suggestions and what and how to get it ready for the long north dakota winter?

Ayuh,.... Like Ziggy said,... DRAIN it....
Pull the block drains, the manifold drains,+ some Hose ends....
Whatever it takes,... Get the Water out of it...

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: winterizing question

Just draining the block manifolds and powersteering oil cooler is the extent of my freeze protection, have not had any problems yet. There are also water cavities in the Cobra that have drain plugs if your leaving that out too.
Oh by the way, year after year I've measured out the water from block manifolds and cooler, I get 4-1/2 gals when all is drained. About 1 pint of water comes out of the drive.

 

[schankla]

Re: winterizing question

So i think i got her all done. There were four plugs that i found: one on each manifold and one on each side of the block. I pulled the large hose off the water pump and drained that and put it back on. pulled the long hose off the TSTAT and drained that and put it back on. pulled the drain off the out drive and drained that and put that back in. I sprayed a little fogging oil in each cylinder and a lil in the carb even though i wasnt able to turn it over because of the locked up starter. Then i filled the engine full of marine AF through the TSTAT housing on the motor. I left the housing off the motor because its gonna need a gasket that i didnt have today. Changed the gear oil on the outdrive aswell. Did i miss anything?

 

[schankla]

Re: winterizing question

Also i looked for the drain on the power steering for cooling and could not find one on my 4.3 cobra.

 

[ziggy]

Re: winterizing question

Did i miss anything?

don't forget to lub everything up. i'd assume there's some kinda schedule for your omc like there is for a mercruiser as to what to lub and where and what kinda grease.. any other end of year layup inspections that are called for too. per your service manual...

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: winterizing question

Also i looked for the drain on the power steering for cooling and could not find one on my 4.3 cobra.

There is a drain on the cooler under the starboard side of the engine.
If you filled that hose with AF it should be fine.You should have pushed the water out of the drive.
I did my Cobra that way many times without an issue.
The drain plug on the ps cooler usually will break before it screws out anyway.

 

[Lou C]

Re: winterizing question

as noted you have to get the water out to be on the safe side...1 drain on each side of the block...one on each manifold...remove the big hose on the front circulating pump...let that area drain...then disconnect the hose from the transom to the thermo housing and point it down in the bilge...that should also drain the PS cooler that is on the back of the engine...I have removed that drain plug each year but pointing down the hose will get the water out of it.....Probe the holes in the block and manifolds with a sharp wood screw to make sure they drain....and I like to then fill the block, manifolds and raw water intake hose with -100 to push any remaining water out and keep air out...there are also 3 drains on the pivot housing of the Cobra (you have to tilt it up to see all 3) that have to be removed and probed to drain...

 

[schankla]

Re: winterizing question

Thanks so much for the feedback fellas! This forum is fantastic, im still looking for a good omc cobra service manual. Unable to find one on ebay for 1987 4.3. When i find one i plan to pull the outdrive off and service the bellows, gimble and water intake pump. Boat also has a shifting problem, wont shift into neutral, im thinking shift cable or shift assist mod.