Diamond Dave

I've heard about moving that water pressure line to the manifold before funny you mention that. I already had to replace the gauges that were plugged or corroded etc. and it took FOREVER to unclog the lines going to them. My blocks had a little crud in them but I got it all out I think. I don't want my new gauges to suffer the same fate so I think I will move the lines and install the drain valves like you suggest. Does moving the line to the intake in the back involve any drilling or tapping or is there already a same size port there? I have 502 MPI engines btw. Any pics anyone has of this mod would be helpful.

pslonaker

iTrader: (1)

I dont want to steer you in the wrong direction on moving the water pressure line because I am just not sure on an MPI setup. I want to say that you can, but I dont remember. I have a buddy down the street from me that has twin 502's in his boat, so I will go down there and check on that for you tomorrow. I know that you can on a carb setup...especially if you have an Edelbrock intake. If there is a provision on a MPI manifold, you might have to use an adapter like you would if you are running an Edelbrock. There are 4 holes in an Edelbrock (2 in front and 2 in the back by the distributor) and they are 1/2npt.

If you put the ball valves on there, you will be very happy about it when you go to winterize it again.

Diamond Dave

Thanks! That would be much appreciated! In moving this line to the manifold will there be any difference in the gauge pressure readings would you think? Or even due to extra fittings needed? I just want to know what to expect if I can make this conversion happen on my setup.

Yes the ball valve mod sounds like a good thing! I was REALLY worried I was going to strip those plugs out or break them off in the block when I did it this time (which is my first since we just bought it) I don't think the previous owner ever took them out either... it was pretty sketch taking them out... eek!

buck183

Welcome to the board Chris. Glad you joined. Lots of great info to be had here.

Can't wait to see her running on our home waters this summer. FYI, I've never ridden in a Fountain, never driven a left hand throttle boat, nor driven a Fountain. I won't pressure you too hard on two of those, but the ride is a must.

Are Cigs and Fountains allowed to tie up together on Beaver Lake? ��

Buck

pslonaker

iTrader: (1)

I went down and had a look at my buds MPI motors and there is no provision in the back of the intake to install a fitting needed to connect a water line for water pressure. Went to a dealer here and looked at another MPI motor and no provision there either. I know there is a provision on "carbed" motors but that doesnt do you any good. You might look at your thermostat housing and see if there is a port plug in it that could be removed. I have seen some that have 4 ports and only use 2 of them with 1/2 inch plugs in the other 2. You could pull a plug and install a reducer bushing and pull your water pressure from there. The other way you could do this would be to drill straight down in the back of your MPI intake directly over the center of the water port that is blanked out over the top of the water opening in the head. Use a vacuum hose to suck up the metal shavings and then tap the hole for a 1/4npt. However you plan to maybe move the line...I would move it to a higher location so that you dont have to play that game of un-plugging it again.

Diamond Dave

Thanks for checking that out for me you really went out of your way to help and that is super cool! Wish you had better news though! I will have to poke around on the engine to see if there is a port buried there somewhere? You would think there would be! If not drilling and tapping it like you said will be the solution but I'd rather avoid that though if possible.

pslonaker

iTrader: (1)

No problem. I will almost always try to help another boater with an issue. Gimmie a holler if I can do anything else for you.

Diamond Dave

Thanks I appreciate that! I'll post up something if I figure it out also.