Winterizing question plus.
 

I have an 1986 OMC 260 IO (GM 350 w/ a cobra drive with less then 100 total
hrs on them). The engine was set-up for long term storage while I was in
Florida (pulled all block and manifold drain plugs, oil in the cylinders and
drained gas). I have now (4 yrs later) brought the boat up to Pennsylvania
and need to winterize it. I don't want to start it as there is no gas in
the boat and don't want to do the tune-up to get it running (will not be
used for another 2 yrs). I just want to winterize it so no damage will be
done. I will have a local yard pull the drive but they will not touch the
engine because it is not running. I was thinking if I reinstall all the
drain plugs and pour 50-50 mix of antifreeze (or a non-toxic version if I
can find it) into the thermostat housing it should fill all of the jackets.
I am engine savvy but not familiar with the plumbing done to marinize these
GM truck engines. Since the block and manifolds drain plugs have been out
for 4 years I doubt there is any water in the system. Adding the
anti-freeze *I though* would be good insurance to be sure. The drive will
be kept in the house. Does this sound reasonable???



Second question, when this boat is finally put back into service I was
thinking about getting the OMC changed out for a Merc stern drive (worried
about future availability of OMC parts). I was told that once the transom
was cut for one brand of drive you could not change to another. I wonder if
this is true? Wanted to convert over to one of the merc stern drive
diesels.



I have been around boats my whole life so short answers will work just fine.
I just need the confirmation from somebody else that I am not totally nutz
(boy there is an open-ended question if I have ever heard one...). ;-)



thanks for the help,

mark

Winterizing question plus.
 

I myself would add more oil once in a while and try turning it over say by
hand to lubricate and make sure nothing's rusted in place (e.g. rings). My
opinion, there's no need to add any antifreeze ... I don't. There's no need
to pull (remove) the outdrive unless you're concerned about theft.

"rock_doctor" wrote in message
...
I have an 1986 OMC 260 IO (GM 350 w/ a cobra drive with less then 100
total
hrs on them). The engine was set-up for long term storage while I was in
Florida (pulled all block and manifold drain plugs, oil in the cylinders
and
drained gas). I have now (4 yrs later) brought the boat up to
Pennsylvania
and need to winterize it. I don't want to start it as there is no gas in
the boat and don't want to do the tune-up to get it running (will not be
used for another 2 yrs). I just want to winterize it so no damage will be
done. I will have a local yard pull the drive but they will not touch the
engine because it is not running. I was thinking if I reinstall all the
drain plugs and pour 50-50 mix of antifreeze (or a non-toxic version if I
can find it) into the thermostat housing it should fill all of the
jackets.
I am engine savvy but not familiar with the plumbing done to marinize
these
GM truck engines. Since the block and manifolds drain plugs have been out
for 4 years I doubt there is any water in the system. Adding the
anti-freeze *I though* would be good insurance to be sure. The drive will
be kept in the house. Does this sound reasonable???



Second question, when this boat is finally put back into service I was
thinking about getting the OMC changed out for a Merc stern drive (worried
about future availability of OMC parts). I was told that once the transom
was cut for one brand of drive you could not change to another. I wonder
if
this is true? Wanted to convert over to one of the merc stern drive
diesels.



I have been around boats my whole life so short answers will work just
fine.
I just need the confirmation from somebody else that I am not totally nutz
(boy there is an open-ended question if I have ever heard one...). ;-)



thanks for the help,

mark

Winterizing question plus.
 

Basically the engine is already winterized. I would pull the hoses from the
water pump on the front of the engine and make sure no water is stuck in the
hose/water pump.
I would also recommend you have the lower unit drained and refilled w/ fresh
oil just to make sure no water moisture is in the gearcase that would freeze
and bust the housing.

That should be it. Just store w/ the outdrive trimmed all the way down to
prevent trapping water in the prop shaft aread and freezing.

--
Tony
My boats and autos - http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com



"rock_doctor" wrote in message
...
I have an 1986 OMC 260 IO (GM 350 w/ a cobra drive with less then 100
total
hrs on them). The engine was set-up for long term storage while I was in
Florida (pulled all block and manifold drain plugs, oil in the cylinders
and
drained gas). I have now (4 yrs later) brought the boat up to
Pennsylvania
and need to winterize it. I don't want to start it as there is no gas in
the boat and don't want to do the tune-up to get it running (will not be
used for another 2 yrs). I just want to winterize it so no damage will be
done. I will have a local yard pull the drive but they will not touch the
engine because it is not running. I was thinking if I reinstall all the
drain plugs and pour 50-50 mix of antifreeze (or a non-toxic version if I
can find it) into the thermostat housing it should fill all of the
jackets.
I am engine savvy but not familiar with the plumbing done to marinize
these
GM truck engines. Since the block and manifolds drain plugs have been out
for 4 years I doubt there is any water in the system. Adding the
anti-freeze *I though* would be good insurance to be sure. The drive will
be kept in the house. Does this sound reasonable???



Second question, when this boat is finally put back into service I was
thinking about getting the OMC changed out for a Merc stern drive (worried
about future availability of OMC parts). I was told that once the transom
was cut for one brand of drive you could not change to another. I wonder
if
this is true? Wanted to convert over to one of the merc stern drive
diesels.



I have been around boats my whole life so short answers will work just
fine.
I just need the confirmation from somebody else that I am not totally nutz
(boy there is an open-ended question if I have ever heard one...). ;-)



thanks for the help,

mark

Winterizing question plus.
 

You don't want to mix the RV antifreeze with water at all. Just use it out
of the jug. And yes, that's what's recommended.

--
Steve
=======================
Remove the not dot from my address to abuse my email box
"rock_doctor" wrote in message
...
I have an 1986 OMC 260 IO (GM 350 w/ a cobra drive with less then 100
total
hrs on them). The engine was set-up for long term storage while I was in
Florida (pulled all block and manifold drain plugs, oil in the cylinders
and
drained gas). I have now (4 yrs later) brought the boat up to
Pennsylvania
and need to winterize it. I don't want to start it as there is no gas in
the boat and don't want to do the tune-up to get it running (will not be
used for another 2 yrs). I just want to winterize it so no damage will be
done. I will have a local yard pull the drive but they will not touch the
engine because it is not running. I was thinking if I reinstall all the
drain plugs and pour 50-50 mix of antifreeze (or a non-toxic version if I
can find it) into the thermostat housing it should fill all of the
jackets.
I am engine savvy but not familiar with the plumbing done to marinize
these
GM truck engines. Since the block and manifolds drain plugs have been out
for 4 years I doubt there is any water in the system. Adding the
anti-freeze *I though* would be good insurance to be sure. The drive will
be kept in the house. Does this sound reasonable???



Second question, when this boat is finally put back into service I was
thinking about getting the OMC changed out for a Merc stern drive (worried
about future availability of OMC parts). I was told that once the transom
was cut for one brand of drive you could not change to another. I wonder
if
this is true? Wanted to convert over to one of the merc stern drive
diesels.



I have been around boats my whole life so short answers will work just
fine.
I just need the confirmation from somebody else that I am not totally nutz
(boy there is an open-ended question if I have ever heard one...). ;-)



thanks for the help,

mark