Running engine on a hose?

Question

How do you supply water to an inboard engine to run it out of the water? Want to flush the system and make sure everything is running well before we put it in the water.

Thanks!!

Answer 1

Years ago I rebuilt a 26 Trojan cabin cruiser made of wood.  When I had everything ready I checked it out before launching.  I was working on a shoestring with few tools and not a lot of marine parts.  What I did was to take a regular rubber toilet plunger and remove the handle.  Then I drilled a hole through the handle end and put a water hose in it.  I had a friend hold the plunger over the fresh water intake located under the hull while I cranked the engine.  It worked for me.  I had to rig a lot of things in those days, but if it works, go for it. Good luck.

Answer 2

Find the cooling water inlet, most likely will be under the boat , put a hose in the inlet if its a water cooled exhaust water will come out of the exhaust

Answer 3

Look along the side of the keel, there should be a pipe that looks like it is full of holes, that is your water intake.

Answer 4

good thing Truenorth came along and answered this one for you! All of the others could have cost you a ton of money had you followed their advice and ruined a perfectly good engine!

Folks take the time to read the question and understand what is being asked before answering.

Answer 5

Check at a marine store.

The device looks something like a small plunger, with an adjustable stand. You put it on the ground, and push it up against the water intake. On my inboard boats it is on the starboard side, about midships, and looks kinda like a strainer. You attach the garden hose to the plunger-looking top piece that goes against the hull.

Best of luck.

Edit: here's one from Overtons

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/...

Edit 2: Gracias! to Boating in VA. Restored my faith in the forum

Edit 3: Eagle has a good solution, I have done it for my inboards that ride close to the ground. Go to the hardware store and buy just a female repair section that will accept the male garden hose. Off to the side of the plunger handle cut a hole for the repair piece, and attach. Now you have a place for the hose. Next cut the handle to length, just enough so you have to apply slight upward pressure on the hull to hold in place. There, $50 saved, and you spent maybe $10.

Answer 6

I usually use a 50 gal drum with a hose re-supplying it.