Just some Chit Chat

[ebijack]

Some good info there Wakina!
Like you this year has been the least amount of fishing I have been able to do in 30 yrs, mostly the weather causing the not fishing, and a lot of takin care of other issues that have to be done. The wife and I are still hoping to get out a few times yet this fall as we need to fill the freezer.

[LEfriend]

Some good info there Wakina!
Like you this year has been the least amount of fishing I have been able to do in 30 yrs, mostly the weather causing the not fishing, and a lot of takin care of other issues that have to be done. The wife and I are still hoping to get out a few times yet this fall as we need to fill the freezer.

It wasn't good....but was comforting...to hear that I wasn't the only one in this same boat this year. Only had my boat 5 years now, but seems were many more times this year when I could and wanted to go but the weather wouldn't cooperate. Either that or I was a heck of a lot busier.

[MBLMIKE]

Thanks Wakina you made several points that I agree with this year was disappointing from both the weather and time but also the cost of fuel cash flo etc. I just did not get out like I wanted to but hey there is always next year . On the matter of sand in the block I am sorry you had to find this out the hard way but it will give us all a little to think about next time we see those muddy plumes behind the boat. when I have done my winterizing I have noticed some times the drain plugs when removed have dirt or maybe its sand that keeps the water from draining completely out, it was recommended by some one on this site to remove the entire petcock and take a wire coat hanger and wiggle it around to dislodge any dirt or sand that may keep all the water from draining the block this would be a good time to ck for sand and prevent the problem you experienced.
Oh buy the way just got a 26 foot Sylvan 350 mercruiser io for a good deal only $1500.00 with a nice trailer , It has a blown motor so this is the project to get us thru the winter I will keep you all posted on its progress .

[branhamautomotive]

sometimes those hard black deposits are sand/mud/dirt some of it is actually a form of rust. most of us just send straight lake water through our blocks, and we all know water and iron makes rust. hince why if you run straight water in your car all summer then drain it, it will be all brown and nasty most of the time. I know some ppl motor the block and manifold drains are locked and wont turn. but if your does and you do notice you get into some mud and sand. you can drain you block at the dock once cooled off. your bilge pump will get the water out. I have even started motor before with those open and flush as good as I can. It also never hurts to flush the block one or twice a year just to be on the safe side that a lot of that is not sitting in there that we don't know about.

[wakina]

I should have also posted what this gentleman said would be a good way to clean the block in case of a large amount of sand had been pulled into the block. It might be a P. I. A. but it can be done with out pulling the engine, he said you can take the fixtures off the front of the block(power steering, Etc.) remove the soft plugs on the front of the block and use a shopvac to suck out the sand or a water hose and flush out the sand at least to where it is easy to suck it out. To me that sure would beat pulling and replacing the engine block. Much cheaper also, just be sure to use the brass soft plugs when putting it back together. Sounded almost like he had done this a time or two.