I bought a new 252 Islander with a 496 Magnum. I want to install an oil drain hose on the engine. Does anyone know what threads the oil drain plug has on a 496? Thanks!

Doesn't a 496mag come with an oil drain hose already installed? I have 496ho's and both came with an oil draind hose already installed.

Your kidding?! I had no idea. Going to the lake next weekend I'll check it out. Thanks for the info 29 Outlaw.

I've got 2 other questionsfor you:

#1 My dealer says the engine needs to be drained and winterized and not to trust mercruisers system that pumps air in and forces the water out. Do you have any experience with this?

#2 When you push on the right trim tab button does it move the right or left trim tab? Every boat I've ever had the right button moves the left trim tab (because they react to the opposite side of the boat). The new baja the right button moves the right tab, this is totally backwards. Dealer says Baja switched and now wires all trim tabs this way since 1999. Does that sound right to you?

Thanks very much for your help.

Really? That's the way it should be, all the boats I've ever seen or ridden in had it this way...It's pretty intuitive I guess. When I want the right tab to go down, I expect to push the right button.

And Yes, your 496 Mag should have an oil drain hose installed from the factory. Just pull your transom bilge drain plug out and the oil drain hose will be attached via a short length of chain or wire.

My drain hoses were routed up and clipped to the top of the motor. Don't use them but they are there nonetheless.

As far as tabs - I have K-planes but have never used them. I assume right switch works right plane. That the way it works for my drive switches.

As far as the dealer telling you not to trust Merc - I have used my air pump and it gets all the water out. I based that on the fact that after using it I have pulled the blue plugs to see if any more water came out. None did. The pump got it all. That dealer just wants to sell you. Afterall, they make a lot of money winterizing boats.