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Bad Dog
11-20-2000, 08:07 PM
Guys:


It's getting quite cold her in NC at nights. I've ordered an engine heater, but it's a week or so away. My old Ski Nautique was easy to drain the water from, but I cannot find the place(s) to drain the waterfrom my Donzi.

The year is 1987, 350 Chevy Magnum if that helps.

Any input is appreciated.

Bret

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Bret Pedigo
bret@emji.net

boldts
11-20-2000, 08:19 PM
Bret,
You should have a petit valve on each side of the engine, Looks like a T and the end unscrews to allow the H2O out. I have also seen what looks like a flat bolt head on each side of the block that unscrews out of the block. It is usually brass, but may be painted and hard to find against the engine itself. Any chance the boat is in a garage? If so, you could use a kerosine heater to keep the temperature above 32 degrees. Good luck!!

DonziDave
11-20-2000, 08:53 PM
Bad Dog - I am in Charlotte and what's with this snow in November!! I have an '86 18 w/350, so engine should be the same. Aside from fogging, oil change, etc. the way to drain the engine is: There are 4 brass petcocks - 1 on each side of the block down low about in the middle and 1 on the bottom of each exhaust waterjacket located to the rear. Petcocks are threaded and when loosened water will begin to drain. !!WARNING!! Remove petcocks completely and clean drain holes with a piece of stiff wire, 16d nail, etc. Scale in the engine and jackets can clog the holes and keep water from fully draining. Then pull the bottom hose off the water pump and leave loose. Then I put a 100 watt light bulb in the engine compartment low on the port side near the power steering oil cooler (too much of a bitch to get to in order to drain). Been this way for 14 years with no problems. Hope this helps.
BTW - West Marine has a kit to pump anti-freeze into the system using ear-muffs on the water pickup. Also be sure to always leave your drive in the down position. - Dave

Owen
11-20-2000, 09:05 PM
Buy four or five gal of RV anti freeze. Warm up engine till thermostate opens using regular hose water and muffs. Take flame arrestor off. Take large funnel or other container and set it higher than highest point of engine. Check merc lower unit weep hole and make sure it weeps. Connect earmuffs to drive intake and connect container with same. Fill container with RV anti freeze. Start engine. Run till good stream of the red RV fluid is coming out of the water discharge. Spray merc fogging oil into carb and let stall. Replace flame arrestor - You are done.
Flush engine before going back out on the water. I use tarps to recollect and reuse the RV antifreese fluid.

A 100 watt work light with a rough service bulb set in the bilge under the oil pan will also work in a pinch if you block off the vents with newspaper. Use the plug outside the boat to turn the light on or off .



[This message has been edited by Owen (edited 11-20-2000).]

rayjay
11-21-2000, 08:42 AM
Will you also take them out and "walk" them?

rayjay (lol)

boxy
11-21-2000, 09:34 AM
DonziDave, what purpose does the 100 watt bulb serve if you have winterized the block. After we've drained them, fogged them, and spilled some RV anti-freeze into them, we run back into the house and try to stay warm for the next 6 months, the boats are on their own. http://www.donzi.net/ubb/biggrin.gif

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boxy
mailto:sboxma@sprint.casboxma@sprint.ca</A>
Smuggler's Cove
1000 Islands
Ontario

DonziDave
11-21-2000, 02:20 PM
Boxy - If you fill with anti-freeze, then no need for lightbulb - but if you drain and leave dry, you need lightbulb to keep the water in the power steering cooler from freezing (assuming you have PS). This cooler on my boat is too hard to reach and drain (hey - I'm lazy). Ergo..lightbulb

boxy
11-21-2000, 02:40 PM
Ahhh, it's all clear now. I gues we've never done that because I'm thinking there isn't a light bulb big enough to warm up a -40 degree day. I still think MP has the best idea, Scott are you hiring, what could a hung-over Canadian dock boy earn at Club Donzi ?
http://www.donzi.net/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.donzi.net/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.donzi.net/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.donzi.net/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.donzi.net/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.donzi.net/ubb/biggrin.gif

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boxy
mailto:sboxma@sprint.casboxma@sprint.ca</A>
Smuggler's Cove
1000 Islands
Ontario

Blewbyu
11-21-2000, 06:22 PM
On the Volvo's-you just remove the waterpump suction hose inside the engine compartment(right by the steering arm)and connect a 1 1/4"OD hose inside it-other end of hose in 5 gal container with 50/50 mix antifreeze/water.Fire the engine-as soon as green water exits-shut her down.Takes about 20 minutes,and you don't have to stand on your head to find petcocks/plugs etc.
PAINLESS!Uses about 3 gals of mix that you recover(tarp),1 gal now,the other two in the spring.

RickR
11-22-2000, 10:22 AM
If you are going to use the ear muffs to fill your engine with antefreeze make sure you DRAIN the water out of your block and manifolds first.
If you don't, the theromstat may prevent the antifreeze from entering the block and you'll just get antifreeze in the manifolds.

I use regular antifreeze, full strength and save it in the spring for the following year (we don't want to pollute our waterways). I feel the regular antifreeze gives better rust prevention. And full strength gives you a lower freezing point in case you don't get all the H2O out of the block and manifolds.

Like Donzi Dave says, make sure you open the drains with a wire or nail and water flows out of both sides of the block.

ScottB
I guess I'll have to come to SOUTH Fla next time. High in Tallahassee was 48 on Sat and Sunday.
BTW We did our part in Tennessee, whats going on in Fla. Have they hired you as a ballot counter yet? http://www.donzi.net/ubb/wink.gif

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RICKR
mailto:riggerb@aol.comriggerb@aol.com</A>

[This message has been edited by RickR (edited 11-22-2000).]

boxy
11-22-2000, 10:33 AM
MP, maybe I'm approaching this thing the wrong way. Do you offer an apprentice program at Club Donzi ? It's never too late to go back to school, what would room, board, and tuition cost for the 6 month Bdb (bachelor dock boy) program ?
http://www.donzi.net/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.donzi.net/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.donzi.net/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.donzi.net/ubb/biggrin.gif

It's -16 today, time to head to that one particular harbor.

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boxy
mailto:sboxma@sprint.casboxma@sprint.ca</A>
Smuggler's Cove
1000 Islands
Ontario