Poking at drain holes

[mitchell2345]

Hi

Winterizing for the first time. When pulling the plugs and poking them, how far should they go in? It feels like I hit something when going in the bottom of the manifolds. How far should I be going in both?

This is on a Mcm Merc 5.0 Chevy.

Thanks
Mitchell

 

[Don S]

Re: Poking at drain holes

A little past the threads. Depending on the manifolds, it could be anywhere from a quarter to half inch past the threads.

 

[mitchell2345]

Re: Poking at drain holes

Okay that's about when I hit. What bout the block?

 

[Don S]

Re: Poking at drain holes

Same thing, I've never measured it.

 

[dingdongs]

Re: Poking at drain holes

theres a fair amount of water in the manifolds and it should be gushing out for maybe a minute on the manifolds and maybe 2 on the block .same both sides.if it only trickles there maybe a lot of foreign matter that needs clearing with a thin screwdriver if thats the word.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Poking at drain holes

You will know when the water gushes out. Even my new 4.3 needed a couple pokes on the starboard side of the block before the water poured out. I am sure many an engine has cracked because the debris held water in.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Poking at drain holes

Hi

Winterizing for the first time. When pulling the plugs and poking them, how far should they go in? It feels like I hit something when going in the bottom of the manifolds. How far should I be going in both?

This is on a Mcm Merc 5.0 Chevy.

Thanks
Mitchell

Ayuh,.... Not all castin's are the same, 'n I agree with Don,...

Generally speakin', I can poke my SSteel deckscrew in 'bout a 1/4" to 3/4" into the hole, before ya hit the inside wall....

I kinda like the deckscrew, it's got a fine point, 'n the threads really haul the crud out easily....

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: Poking at drain holes

I could not agree more, Use something to actually get that crud out of there. Don't just poke at it with a coat hanger.

 

[OldNBold51]

Re: Poking at drain holes

You will know when the water gushes out. Even my new 4.3 needed a couple pokes on the starboard side of the block before the water poured out. I am sure many an engine has cracked because the debris held water in.

True that!! My 1st winterizing (35 years previous outboards) I only got a small trickle on both sides of the block and called it good. Thus, I cracked the block after owning the boat less than a month. The next year I made sure I got a gusher from the blocks drain plugs. I'm guessing, but there's well over a gallon that needs to come gushing out.