I've pulled plugs on both sides of block and I'm still running hotter than I'd like to. Water dump seems like it's dumping water fine though. Now my temp gauge says says around 160 when I just turn the key on. Could it just be bad gauge. When the temp says 200 I can still hold my hand on the heads for a little bit so don't think it's at 200

you cant hardly touch 160, and 200 is 3rd degree burn area.

Temp gauge should read all the way down with just the key on (cold engine). ground the wire at the sender and it should peg the gauge.

120 at cruise is just fine.

use a meat thermometer at the dump line to confirm.

Dan'l

On cleaning the block-

pull lower drain plugs AND the bilge pluge

pull one of the hoses on the tstat housing. run garden hose here S L O W L Y. . .

coat hanger, long zip ties, welding rod, etc thru the drain plugs until it runs clear.

OR the easy way...Remove lower drain plugs. Back trailer into water. Fire it up till it runs clear. pull trailer out. pull bilge plug. Consume boat soda.

I do this at the launch ramp at the end of the season.

Dan'l

So your saying to reverse the flow? Do those plugs need Teflon on em?

Ya, trickle the flow, use gravity.

I use brass ones, teflon not USUALLY needed. But it never hurts. Steel use teflon.

Dan'l