testing an engine with no outdrive

[mainecorvette]

Hi, in Nov. 2015 I winterized my Mercruiser 4.3L. During that process the outdrive was found to be shot and replacement was recommended. I didn't have the $ so the engine has been winterized since then. My question is, can the engine be tested to see if it survived 2 Maine winters if there is no outdrive attached? If so, what is the procedure? If not, what are my options? I don't want to but a new unit and find out that the engine has a problem. Thanks, Larry

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... If the motor was winterized, it shouldn't be any problem,....

To run it, remove the hose at the t-stat housin' that comes from the outdrive,...
Attach yer garden hose there, 'n turn the water on,....

When yer done, Drain the block, 'n manifolds so ya don't freeze bust it 'tween now, 'n warm weather,...

 

[crazy charlie]

THERE is an adapter that you can mount to the water intake hole where the drive would mate up to .It screws onto an outdrive stud and you attach a garden hose to it.you can also just stick the cut end of a garden hose into the hole without the adapter.Put a cement block on the hose so it does not move and it will get you a good enough water flow to test the motor.Keep in mind that testing it now will require you to winterize the motor again if you are not planning on getting her on the water this season.Charlie

 

[Scott Danforth]

You can simply shove the garden hose into the cavity in the transom shield and use duct tape to secure.

here is the hole you shove the hose in

here is the tool if you want

 

[Scott Danforth]

here is another iboats thread on it (there literally are a few hundred of them) http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...ngines-outdrives/8655982-no-water-circulation

 

[JoLin]

here is the tool if you want

Scott, do you have any more info on that tool? Can't find it with a google search.

 

[Scott Danforth]

here is the site I borrowed the pic from

http://www.mercstuff.com/coolingtools.htm

 

[JoLin]

Thanks for that. Have been thinking about making my own along similar lines. Theirs is cheap enough that I don't need to bother. I just ordered one.

 

[burtonrider11]

You can simply shove the garden hose into the cavity in the transom shield and use duct tape to secure.

here is the hole you shove the hose in

here is the tool if you want

Hi Scott, what is the orange piece on the starboard side of the outdrive? It looks like it is made to hold the shift mechanism in place? I would like to see where I can get one. It looks like it would make re-install of the drive a tad easier....Thanks!

 

[JASinIL2006]

That orange piece is a Shift Shaft Slide Stabilizer (#91-865232) and it holds the shift slide in place while you slide the drive on. Not essential, but very handy, especially if you're doing it by yourself. Costs less than $2. Available on lots of online retailers/auction sites. Not sure if iboats sells them; a search on their sales site using that part number yielded no hits.

 

[burtonrider11]

That orange piece is a Shift Shaft Slide Stabilizer (#91-865232) and it holds the shift slide in place while you slide the drive on. Not essential, but very handy, especially if you're doing it by yourself. Costs less than $2. Available on lots of online retailers/auction sites. Not sure if iboats sells them; a search on their sales site using that part number yielded no hits.

THANK YOU! I'll have to look for one. This will be my first year pulling and re-installing the drive. Everything to me looks straightforward except for the shift slide, this part looks like it will make everything much easier

 

[JASinIL2006]

An alternative is to have a helper hold the slide with some pliers as you slip the drive on.

 

[crazy charlie]

I have a very unusual method of keeping the slide in place when installing the drive alone.Requires icecubes and grease.Plenty of grease on bottom of slide.Put an icecube under the slide.It will melt pretty fast.Put another one after the 1st melts.It will take a little longer to melt.Do this a few more times until The metal retains the coldness and the icecube does not melt quickly.Leave the last icecube there to hold the slide from moving and install the drive.Unusual but works great!!

 

[JoLin]

Just chuckling to myself- the OP posted a week ago and hasn't been back

Just to follow up on the 'flush' tool that Scott illustrated in Post #4, mine came today. It's nothing fancy, but definitely heavy duty. It's a 1/2" thick aluminum base, drilled and tapped with pro grade (as in, not Home Depot) brass fittings attached. The price was decent, but they charged $5. for handling and another $9. to ship it. Even at $49. all in, though, I think it's worth it.

My .02