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    Winterizing

    And if you use antifreeze...use non-toxic pink RV/boat antifreeze. Don't use toxic automotive antifreeze.
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    First time winterizing 4.3 mercruiser, alpha one.

    Wow! They're gonna run out of room down there! I heard they are encroaching on the Everglades. Filling in the swamps. Not good.
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    First time winterizing 4.3 mercruiser, alpha one.

    All I can say is.....After doing it this "bogus" way for so many years, it's downright scary to try doing it the right way! Old habits...are hard to break. I wish I lived somewhere hot where I didn't have to deal with winterizing.
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    First time winterizing 4.3 mercruiser, alpha one.

    No doubt. Red neck, Rube Goldberg, Red Green all come to mind. That Red Green guy is hilarious!
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    First time winterizing 4.3 mercruiser, alpha one.

    Easier is always good.
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    First time winterizing 4.3 mercruiser, alpha one.

    Do the seats just pull out or do you need to remove hardware to get them out? Bummer if it's a project to remove them. I guess I'm lucky, I have the big sun pad that covers my engine compartment. I open that and there's tons of room to work. There's space on each side of the engine too...
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    First time winterizing 4.3 mercruiser, alpha one.

    What I do is similar, but I use a wye hose and garden hose valves to switch over to AF. I have a homemade bucket someone gave me that has a clear hose and garden hose fitting on the end of the clear hose. I sit it on the swim platform, same as you. I added a wye hose meant for a washing...
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    Battery discharge. ...normal?

    So many electronics in our vehicles these days that it's amazing the battery can handle it all. You would think the batteries would be twice the size. When I unlock my Silverado I can hear the fuel pump priming. If I sit in my 2022 Ford Escape waiting with the engine off for 20-30 minutes...
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    Is something wrong with the jack on my trailer?

    Mine has the folding trailer tongue and literally just fits in my garage. There's maybe a 1/4" between the (folded) trailer tongue and garage door! Without the folding tongue I would have to store the boat diagonally, taking up both spaces in the two car garage.
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    Is something wrong with the jack on my trailer?

    Yeah, I'm sure my setup is also a whole lot heavier than the OP's. Mine is an 18.5 bow rider with a 4.3L Mercruiser.
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    Is something wrong with the jack on my trailer?

    My wheel has never rotated when pushing the trailer. It just skips along. I've always had to kick the wheel to rotate it. I just thought that was just the way it was. However, when I bought the boat it was already 10 years old. It's now almost 20 years old. I think I'll take the advice and...
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    Is something wrong with the jack on my trailer?

    My wheel won't change direction by just pushing the trailer around. I have to kick the wheel to the direction I want it to go. If this is what you are encountering, I think it's normal.
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    First time winterizing 4.3 mercruiser, alpha one.

    Thanks for that explanation. So, the AF will fill the engine and intake, get past the thermostat and pour out where you take off the big hoses?
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    First time winterizing 4.3 mercruiser, alpha one.

    I understand pouring the AF into the big hoses to get it into the exhaust. Wouldn't I have to remove the thermostat to get the AF into the block (through the intake manifold)? I would guess draining all the water first, then put the drain plugs back in, then filling with AF and drain...
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    First time winterizing 4.3 mercruiser, alpha one.

    I run -100 degree AF through the engine as an added protection for both freeze protection and anti corrosion. It also helps me sleep without worry through the long cold winters hear in PA. I may be wrong, but the way I look at it is if there's any water trapped in corners of the engine after...
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    5.7 Merc coolant check?

    Learn how to replace your impeller as suggested. Really bad things can happen to these engines if you overheat. Replacing the impeller is cheap insurance that you are getting a good water supply to the engine.
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    Winter Prep for So Cal

    Just as a precaution...do you remember what happened in Texas last winter? In places where blocks are not supposed to freeze? It was a disaster. I would at least drain the block after doing your yearly maintenance. If you go out boating, you can always just drain it again. Don't just use...
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    First time winterizing 4.3 mercruiser, alpha one.

    I hope you drained it all when you were done. I wouldn't keep any liquid in my block over the winter. I get adding AF, but if there's any water left in there it will dilute the AF and it may not be as effective as you might hope. It's just not worth the chance. I do the AF thing, but when...
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    Need to add or replace some baseboard for additional heat..ANYONE DONE THIS???

    Good luck. It seems you are on the right track. You certainly know more about these matters than I do. I didn't know there were jumbo fin radiators. Good to know. My current house has oil fired baseboard heat which works pretty good. I do have one small bedroom that gets way too hot. I wish...
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    mercruiser 4.3 Slow acceleration at WOT

    I'm no expert, but a 21 foot boat seems like borderline size for a 4.3. A 4.3 is not much of a screamer. Mine kind of rolls up to speed. My 18 foot maxes out at around 45-48 mph with a 4.3. It does get up on plane within seconds though. How old is the boat? Could any of the floatation or...
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