Advice on winterizing vintage outboards

[beast]

I usually keep my motors in a garage that doesn’t go below freezing but this year I am keeping a couple at the cottage that will go well below freezing: Neptune Mighty Mites, 1949 Firestone 7 hp, 1955 Viking 3 hp. Any advice to prevent damage? Should I just run out of water for a minute or so to expel water?

[westwind]

I wouldn’t recommend running any water cooled motor out of the water…..

The motors should self drain if they are upright. Fogging oil is good for the engine internals.

[bob-d]

Watch for water in the gear cases. Can expand when frozen,and crack case.
I have always used Mercury Storage Seal in the cylinders with great success.

[beast]

Thanks

[Tubs]

I shut off the gas and run the carburetor dry
before taking them off the boat. Then drain
and change the gear lube. Some motors have a
water drain plug. I always store them upright
on a stand of some type. Not leaning up against
a wall or something. I don’t fog my motors.

A "Boathouse Repair" is one that done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.

[crosbyman]

2 methods

1- I slowly choke mine with storage oil sprayed in the carb drain the carb change gear oil in case any water came in the gearcase

2 – on the big ETEC I use 2-4D fuel storage well before end of season to circulate in the engine & I top off the gas & oil tank – change gear case oil

never had any issues either way with temps down to -25 F

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

[amuller]

My biggest concern is rodent damage, and how to prevent it.

[Steve D]

quote amuller:

My biggest concern is rodent damage, and how to prevent it.

If you do a search for "Do dryer sheets keep mice away" or something like that, it seems to be split, some swear by it, some say don’t bother. One site said "A strange odor isn’t going to keep them away when they’re looking for food or a place to nest. I’ve had mice build nests out of the dryer sheets."

Some say Irish Spring works, peppermint or spearmint oil. I’ve been using dryer sheets for about 3 years and so far so good. I put 2 or 3 under the cover over the winter.

[outbdnut2]

Pull out the choke knob to prevent insects, etc. from crawling into the carb throat. If ethanol is in the gas, get a stabilizer made to stabilize both the gas and the ethanol. Standard Stabil does nothing for ethanol, but their blue product does. If no ethanol in the gas, just be sure the tank is empty or nearly full. Be sure vents are shut.
Dave

[Mumbles]

Roping them over slowly with the spark plugs disconnected will help remove any water sitting in the pump. Fogging motors is always exciting to!

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