[jsewall82]

Indeed to replace my engine block drain taps. Pulled them out to winterized and they are in bad shape. Is it one size fits most? 5.7L mercruiser.

[m&mmariah]

Are you talking about the small, blue plastic screw in plugs for draining water from the exhaust manifolds and the engine block? If so, I just replaced mine. I picked some up at one of the local boat dealers. He said they routinely replace them when they service the engine. The plastic tends to get brittle and break off. Anyway, they aren't very expensive, just a few dollars for four. Dealer has a "whole box of them".

[gahooligan]

Did mine this year too! One broke going back in! I think I plan on doing them every other year from now on...

[jsewall82]

The ones I am referring to are brass. They are for the block not the exhaust. The exhaust ones I replaced and they are plastic.

[m&mmariah]

our boat is a '96 with the 4.3 V6. It originally had the brass screw plugs in the block as well, and they were a chore to remove. I stopped by one of the local MerCruiser dealers and bought a couple of brass adapters to replace the brass plugs. The adapters replace the block plugs, and the blue plastic wing nut plugs screw into the adapters. I basically updated our boat to the way the drains are done on the newer engines. Works great, and is quick to drain! Another labor saving upgrade is to replace the oil pan drain plug with the MerCruiser "oil drain hose." The hose screws into the oil pan and essentially replaces the drain plug bolt. The hose, which is a couple of feet long, has a brass screw plug on its end. When it's not in use, it just sits in the bottom of the bilge. When you're ready to change the oil, just thread the hose through the hull drain hole, unscrew the bolt on the end of the hose, and the oil drains out! Slowly, but it eventually all comes out. The bilge under the engine stays clean and oil free, and that alone was more than worth the small price of the hose/kit!

[jsewall82]

I have been looking at those hit I have found that they make two different ones for my model year and engine. I gotta figure out if I have the 1/2 by 20 or the 15 by 20 threads.