Exhaust outlet plugs

[Traveler 45C]

I’m gonna’ be pulling my exhaust components apart in the next couple of weeks (in the water) and I’m trying to figure a way to plug my exhaust outlets @ the transom. They are above the water. I’m looking to protect the boat from water intrusion in case of a storm. I’ve considered cutting a 2x4 in a circular pattern the same ID as the exhaust hose and clamping it in place. But this would be in the engine room and I’m not too fond of doing it this way. I know there are some kind of “freeze plug” type device that will fit in the exhaust port, tighten the bolt and the plug expands. But I don’t know where to get it.

Any ideas from y’all?

Which reminds me of a joke:

A man appeared before Saint Peter at the Pearly Gates.

St. Peter asked, "Have you ever done anything of particular merit?"

"Well, I can think of one thing", the man offered.

"Once, on a trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota, I came upon a gang of particularly nasty looking bikers, who were threatening a young woman. I directed them to leave her alone, but they wouldn't listen." "So, I approached the largest and most heavily tattooed biker and smacked him on the head, kicked his bike over, ripped out his nose ring and threw it on the ground." "Then I yelled, "Now back off, biker boy or you'll answer to me!'"

St. Peter was impressed and asked, "When did this happen?"

"Just a couple of minutes ago!"

 

[Avenger]

I have an expanding well plug in my collection of "stuff" that fits what you're looking for, but it won't fit your boat 'cause it's only 2 inch. The company's website shows different sizes http://www.buffalowell.com/otherproducts.html they might have one that will fit.

Unfortunately I didn't get mine directly from them so I don't know what their sales policies are, but it might be worth a try. Good Luck.

 

[MikeP]

Soccer balls (or other inflatable ball of a suitable size - deflate to insert; pump 'em up to seal. I used soccer balls when I pulled my 53MY exhaust collectors.

 

[Pete]

I went to Wally World, found two soft rubber balls in the toy department and put them in from the transom. Just leave enough sticking out to grab them when you are done. If you are able to find solid rubber balls in the size you need, you can also install a handle through the ball to make removal easier. If you have to get some a little too small and they are solid, you can also get a long bolt and some fender washers and make your own expanding plug. Good luck.

 

[Traveler 45C]

Thanks Scrod.

Soccer balls, of course. Why didn’t I think of that…?

 

[Bob Bradley]

Try a plumber supply house. I believe that there are expansion test plugs that plumbers use to test for leaks. YOu slide them in, and turn a wing nut to expend a rubber donut into a pipe. They have them large enough to use on underground sewer pipes, so you can probably find one large enough for the exhaust.

 

[Genesis]

Yep.

Get a couple of play balls (the rubber, ribbed ones are excellent - nice and sticky), deflate, insert into exhaust, inflate with hand pump until secure.

I did this when I pulled my collectors.

 

[MicroKap]

Does anyone recommend using balls in the engine exhausts for use during winter storage? What do you do if the boat is left in the water?

Larry K.
1980 60' Sportfish
Monmouth Beach, NJ

 

[Genesis]

Yep.

They will stop the airflow which is where you get LOTS of upper cylinder rusting from.

That and bag the intakes.

 

[Akyla]

The ball idea is not a bad one, but if you go to a good commercial plumbing supply firm you will get a better solution. Use either the expandable pipe end plug or get a heavy rubber end cap that fits the OD of your exhaust outlet. The expandable plug is designed so it won't get shoved down the tube once in place and they dont deflat, a rubber ball can do both. The end caps, which are cheaper, fit outside the exhaust pipe and go on with a screw clamp.

I have used the end caps for several years on my 36 with 6" pipes and they work great. Goon easy and don't leak a drop. Keep them onboard all the time just in case an exhaust fails I can get them on in just a minute and stop the flooding...

 

[Genesis]

That doesn't work for side exhausts, which don't have a round end!

 

[solanderi]

Are the exhaust plugs and intake covers overkill for a boat that is cranked up once per week (not necessarily taken for a ride though) ?

For covering the intakes, do you mean a plastic bag over the air septs?

Thank you

 

[Genesis]

Yes.

However, if you're a once-a-MONTH guy, its not overkill.

Bagging the intakes is exactly that - covering the airseps on the intake side.

Note that you must do this with the engine cold - so you CAN'T do it the day you come in from a trip, as they're smoking hot. That will trap condensation as they cool and is VERY bad.

Note that if you're a "weekend warrior" you're going to see abnormally high iron levels in your oil if you run oil analysis. That's normal for the service you're putting on the engines, and comes from the fact that there IS some light flash rusting going on which is washed into the oil when you start up.

Ideally, engines should be run every day or three, and always run up to operating temperature. That's unrealistic for pleasure boaters though, so you deal with what you've got.