I winterized 7.4 bravo II but have question?

[muskie hunter]

I winterized my 1996 wellcraft 26 SE Excel.

1. Pulled both plugs from engine block ( water only came out of the Passengers side drain plug hole!! Why? Yes I used a wire to make sure nothing was blocking the hole.
2. Pulled hoses off of bottom of both exhaust manifold brass elbows ( no water drained from them. Why?
3. pulled bottom circulation pump hose and both hoses on raw water pump.
4. pulled and drained pwr steering and oil cooler hoses.
5. removed thermostat housing and filled block with 5 gallons of antifreeze.
I didnt think a bigblock would hold that much liquid.

Did I miss anything? Is there anything else engine oriented that needs attention or antifreeze

Thanks Steve

 

[Dakota47]

Re: I winterized 7.4 bravo II but have question?

there should be antifreeze coming out of all drains,, then tighten them down.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: I winterized 7.4 bravo II but have question?

Be absolutely sure that there's nothing blocking the holes.

Before I installed my 97 454, I removed all 6 soft plugs from both sides of the block and flushed A LOT of rust and sand from the bottom of the water jackets. The drain valves on both sides were almost completely plugged.

There was also a lot of loose rust in both exhaust manifolds.


Cheers,


Rick

 

[muskie hunter]

Re: I winterized 7.4 bravo II but have question?

Be absolutely sure that there's nothing blocking the holes.

Before I installed my 97 454, I removed all 6 soft plugs from both sides of the block and flushed A LOT of rust and sand from the bottom of the water jackets. The drain valves on both sides were almost completely plugged.

There was also a lot of loose rust in both exhaust manifolds.


Cheers,


Rick

Are you refering to the freeze out plugs? I found only 2 block drains on the motor. Each plug was located down low on each side of the engine block. I pulled the 1st one and no water came out. When I pulled the 2nd one water really poured out of it.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: I winterized 7.4 bravo II but have question?

Yeah, don't skip the step of pushing a wire or small screw driver into the block via the drainage holes. I had mine open for a while, and a lot of water came out. Then I pushed a small screwdriver into one of the holes, felt some resistance, and another bunch of water started coming out again. Damn glad I did not forget that step!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: I winterized 7.4 bravo II but have question?

YES.

I did remove all the soft plugs. (THEY'RE NOT FREEZE PLUGS and WILL NOT protect you from freeze damage. They're required for the casting process when the blocks are poured)

I removed and replaced them before I installed the engine. (I'm not suggesting you do this) I had the engine on a stand and discovered that depth of the rust and sand was almost up to both drain valves/plugs and actually was covering the valve on the right side. So I would poke a wire in there and would go in but as soon as I pulled it out the flow would slow and then stop. Without investigating further I would have thought there was no more water.

There was, it was just being blocked by the sand and rust that was still in there. (this is why I had a soft plug pop out on each side last winter) I was extremely lucky!


This is why I removed them all and actually looked in there with a flashlight shining in the circ-pump holes in the front.


Cheers,



Rick

Are you refering to the freeze out plugs? I found only 2 block drains on the motor. Each plug was located down low on each side of the engine block. I pulled the 1st one and no water came out. When I pulled the 2nd one water really poured out of it.