How long does it have to be below freezing before a block/heads will freeze enough to cause some damage?? I just received a message that it will be going down to 20-25 degrees in N.W. Illinois tomorrow night. My boat is outside with water in the blocks. I am about an hours drive away. Do I need to put a heater by the motors or roll the dice ??

Smitty

Never Can Be Too Careful With The Cost These Days To Replace A Motor, But The Rule Of Thumb Is That It Would Have To Be 20-25 Degrees Sustained For At Least A Day Or Two To Do Any Damage. It Takes 10 Minutes To Drop A Light Bulb Extension Cord Just To Be Extra Safe, But It Is Not Suppose To Hold The Temperatures For Any Period Of Time.

correct! have no fear...Indian summer is near

upper 20's for a few hours at night not going to hurt anything. I've set thermometers in my bildge and you'd be surprised how warm she'll stay.

A lite bulb don't hurt if you're not going to sleep none that night

More Than 24 Hours

Start Em Up For About 20 Or So Mins Then Go To Sleep.

You can also wrap your drives in thick moving blankets which helps too.

I have heard 24-48 hrs, you should be o.k. but it never hurts to be safe.

Electric dipstick oil heaters work OK as does the lightbulb trick.

20 gallons of Wal Mart RV antifreeze will ensure you have zero problems.

You'll be fine.

You should be fine for no longer then it will be below freezing. Don't you just love the Midwest? 90 deegrees last week and below freezing the next