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-   -   Light bulb or drain them ??? (https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/general-boating-discussion/47003-light-bulb-drain-them.html)

JaayTeee 04-04-2003 02:45 PM

Light bulb or drain them ???
 
It hit 85* here last week,
and like an over anxious kid,
I dewinterized, and changed
my sea pump impellers.

Needless to say, now I have 2
engines full of water.

Now it's 34*, suppose to get
down to 24* tonite,
do you guys think a drop light
will keep them warm enough ?
or should I drag it down to the shop
and drain them ?

The forecast says a low of 17*
monday night, but I don't really
think the weather people's "crystal ball"
works that far ahead.

Going to LOTO tomarrow to do
some comcrete work, so I gotta,
make a descision soon.

jt

JUSTONCE 04-04-2003 02:54 PM

takes a while for those bbc do cool down if you put a 250watt drop light in there and close it up itll be fine.my.02

THEJOKER 04-04-2003 03:01 PM

light bulb
 
Get a light bar that holds (2) light bulbs. Make sure they're not touching anything and you'll be fine. I've had a 1984 Mastercraft since new and it's never been winterized. BH

388Hustler 04-04-2003 03:04 PM

If it only gets down to 24, the drop light would probably be ok. Is it suppose to warm up any tomorrow up there? If it's going to get down to 17, I personally wouldn't risk it. You will be kicking yourself in the a$$ if you have a problem... Just my opinion.
Dean

HyperBaja 04-04-2003 04:21 PM

If it were going to be 24 for more than a day, then you should be worried, 24 as a low, that mean below 30 for maybe 6 hours...not enough to freeze up a block, If your worried, throw a light bulb in there.

Cord 04-04-2003 04:22 PM

I did the light bulb thing this past fall. I also pushed the freeze plug out of the block. How much does it cost you to drain and antifreeze the engine? How much does it cost to rebuild your engine due to a cracked block or cooler?

otis311 04-04-2003 05:02 PM

Put the ears on them and run them up to temp. Shut them down and then do the lightbulb thing. 250 watts will start a fire though. 100 watts is plenty with this system

JaayTeee 04-04-2003 05:46 PM

Thanks for the input guys,

I 've made an executive descision,
and decided to do what any lazy,
procrastinating S.O.B. would do.

Once the:eureka: turned on.

........... Take it down to the shop,
and leave it inside all weekend.
I'll deal with it sunday night after
I get back from the lake.
Hell by then, the forecast may change.

I may have torn up some grass at
my friend house, getting her out,
but grass will grow back, all
that black and blue stuff won't:D :D

36spectre 04-04-2003 05:48 PM

Buy a small ceramic heater at home depot. If they are safe enoungh for a house they are plenty safe for the bilge of a boat and it has an adjustable thermastat. Otto

CAP071 04-04-2003 06:40 PM

That happened to me last year, so I took my plug in little space heater tossed it in engine bay and let it stay on low all weekend. Everything was fine. Freezing cold here In Philly today going down to 20's again tonight.


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