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Winterizing techniques

mfaris

New member
"I have 1986 twin 270 crusader

"I have 1986 twin 270 crusaders in a 33' Chris Craft Commander. It has a closed cooling system for the block which in turn is cooled by raw water. I just bought this boat and am leaving it in the water for the winter in Homer, Alaska. The guy I bought it from had it in Juneau (usually much warmer) and left it in the water. He put an electric (radiator oil style) heater between the blocks and kept it plugged in through the winter. I would like to do the same, but am still wanting to drain the raw water passages. The risers/exhaust manifolds are on top of the block (either side), and have small drain plugs on the bottom. Besides draining these, how do I drain the raw water filters and impeller housing. Any other suggestions? Should I start them, warm them up and run fogging oil throughout like all the other engines I store? Any info and tips would be great as I have always been an outboard guy until now.
Thanks, Matt"
 
"Matt,
When I winterise I clo


"Matt,
When I winterise I close the seacock and then open my strainer. Then I have 5 gallons of the pink nontoxic antifreeze all open and ready to pour. I start the engine, and start pouring in the antifreeze until I have a solid pink coming out the exhaust (usually two people make this job easier.) Then I close the strainer. I then pull the coil wire and then while cranking the engine over I spray in fogger. I have never had a problem yet winterising this way. If you are out of the water you can save a few dollors and catch the antifreeze in a bucket and then use it again to winterise the head."
 
"I basically do the same a Pau

"I basically do the same a Paul, but except pouring in the A/F, I fill a bucket with it and stick a short piece of hose onto the strainer and let it pull through itself. I also do the catch the A/F out of the exhaust and use it in the head."
 
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