Block Drain Problem
 

I have some 420's in my Formula that suck to winterize. When I purchased the boat the previous owner had left out the block drains then the boat sat for 10 years. One of them rusted up to the point that I could not get the plug back in. What I did to fix it was to use a short piece of pipe and put a cap on the pipe. This has worked over the last two years but it makes winterizing even worse. The cap on the pipe is at the back of the oil cooler, so getting it off and snaking a wire up it to get the sedement out is almost impossible. I seem to recall that on my 330's I have a plastic adaptor and thumb screw type set up. It is a Gen 6 330hp motor. The boat is in storage however and I looked on line and can not seem to find them. Does anyone know what those part numbers are? the other idea that I thought would be nice is to put a 90 or 45 degree bend on the pipe and run a flexible hose up to the front of the motor (kind of like a oil drain going to the bottom of the pan). The concern with that is will air preasure be enough to dislodge any sediment that may clog the pipe? Sure would make winterizing a million times easier! I could just make part of the boat maintenance to just flush out those lines once a month or something like that? Any ideas would be great as I want to get this fixed this year.

Thanks

john all the later models come with the parts your looking for look up 454 mags 2000 and up their will be a brass adapter ans the plastic wingnut . met a couple of your buds recently kurt {biggus} and a gut in mass had a 302 now has a 311 guess he has a house in main also

This one it?

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show_...k+and+Camshaft

What do you think abuot the drain with a hose idea?

Was the other guy Doug?

Thanks
Jon

is this the plug??
http://www.marinepartssource.com/new...lug%20Kit-blue

That is the plug but there are a few other parts I think? I don't remember that plug going directly into the block.

yes you need # 3+4 #3 is just a 45 deg adapt can get it anywhere hardware store ect # 4 is the hard 1 to get as is has a special thread for the blue plastig plugs .i put these in every job i do makes things much easier

Thanks bro I am going to order them now!!!

Formula uses drain hoses on all their newer boats. They should work OK.

Griff is that boats with closed cooling or open like the 420's? What concerns me is that some years I have to push a coat hanger in there to get the water going. Of course it is always the ones between the motors not on the outside that get clogged just to keep you wondering why you even own a boat. :D

If you do the hose, make sure to use something large enough, like 3/8" hose. I did one before with #4 hoses (1/4"). We installed some bulkhead fittings in the motor plate and just put caps on them. Ran all the hoses to them. They plugged up everytime and were impossible to get opened up. I think the hose was to small. Just use a staight fitting or adapter on the block instead of a 45 or 90*. We had both 45's and 90's and they plugged up as well as the hose. It sounded good in theory, but we ended up taking it off later on. Should have tried larger hose and straight fittings. Good luck.
Eddie

My buddy had them from the factory on his 2002 353 with 500EFI's. His were like 1/2 inch ID hoses.
I know what you mean about them clogging. I have the same issues with all my engines from boating on the river. His boat was at LOTO and I don't think he had any problems.