Is there a "flush kit" for older 5.0 Mercruisers?

[FluffyDog6]

Is there some kit or part I can buy to hook up a garden hose in the engine bay to flush the 5.0 V-8 motor? This part does not work with my 1988 5.0 Alpha 1, Gen 1 boat. (The kits seem to favor newer motors with Bravo drives. Also, the $265 price seems a bit high for some plastic fittings and gaskets.)

Will this be a problem for the impeller?

Planning to use the boat occasionally in salt water, and don't want to spend a fortune replacing risers. Most of the time it will be in fresh water.



I live in Eastern North Carolina, Wilson specifically, and it is equal towing distance to some big freshwater lakes the other side of Raleigh as it is to the coast. Seems like more action at the coast, and I'd like to visit there some times.

Thanks!

[mmwjr]

Here are two options.

https://www.amazon.com/Perko-0456DP7...35177858&psc=1

https://defender.com/en_us/groco-ssc...QT=1#493=33787

[shrew]

Your best bet is a set of muffs for the outdrive. That would be the easiest.

[FluffyDog6]

Originally Posted by shrew

Your best bet is a set of muffs for the outdrive. That would be the easiest.

I have a set of muffs, but I'm not sure the thermostat opens when using hose water. I want to get the salt out of my well-babied boat, but not risk sinking it with a plastic doohickie.

Starting to wish it is was an outboard, but that 5.0 liter engine (stock was a 3.0 on base models that year.) makes a pleasant sound, and gets up on a plane, even with a bunch of [AHEM] corpulent people in the boat.

[mmwjr]

If you run the engine at idle until the temperature gauge reaches normal operating temperature the thermostat will be open.

[shrew]

I would assume most flush kits are BEFORE the thermostat.

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by shrew

I would assume most flush kits are BEFORE the thermostat.

Yes but the thermostat must be open to ensure good flow through the engine. I.e. the engine needs to be at operating temperature.

[shrew]

Originally Posted by mmwjr

Yes but the thermostat must be open to ensure good flow through the engine. I.e. the engine needs to be at operating temperature.

I'm in agreement. my response was to two posts previous (Post #4, I should have quoted what I was responding too) My meaning was that regardless of whether you use muffs or a flush kit, you're still going to need to wait for the thermostat to open.