General questions

Okay a couple more things to do before summer.
First I need to change engine oil and I know you can pump out thru dipstick but the pump I bought seems to be a PITA to use. I can manuever a pan below the drain plug but of course I would not be able to manuever it out without spilling. Should I drain it out the bottom of pan then pump it out of drain pan with the larger diameter tube? Also what type of motor oil? It is a '80 omc 140.
Second question, I want to do a compression test can I crank it over without hooking the muffs up. If so do you just unhook coil wire and turn engine over?

Re: General questions

Do the compression test with all sparkplugs out for fastest freewheeling. Don't worry about the water pump or spark, just don't stick your fingers near the plug wires. You can drain the oil into the bilge and let it run out the drain plug. You'll have to soak up a lot with rags. It's messy, but it works. Straight SAE 30 is OK.

Re: General questions

You can get an oil drain fitting which has a hose barb on the end for your motor from most marine supply houses. Simply replace the original drain plug and when you are ready to drain the oil hook up a piece of hose to the drain fitting and run the tube right out of the hull through the bilge drain. Some guys wont trust anything but the original oil drain plug. In that case get a drain pan that will fit in your bilge and cut a tight fitting hole in it for the largest size hose that will fit through your bilge plug hole. Clamp the side of the pan between two pieces of wood and drill the hole with a standard spade bit. Make sure all is clean and seal inside and out with a healthy dose of silicone. Put the pan in the bilge under the oil drain plug run the hose out of the bilge drain and you are all set. I am not a big fan of using a pump to drain the oil. The oil plug is in the lowest part of the pan and a lot of them are magnetic for a good reason. I just don't think a pump gets all the old stuff out. When you are checking the compresion completely remove the coil wire from the cap and coil and put it in your glove box. Even though these motors don't have fan blades dont forget about the belts for the water pump and alternator which can really hurt you if you get caught up in them. Can't see any problem cranking the motor over without the exhaust connected as long as your sure no debris can somehow get up in the head. I've seen stranger things happen. If your motor hasn't been run recently get an oil can and hit each cylinder through the plug hole with a shot of motor oil to wet the rings and this will give you a more acurate reading.