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This may be an overlooked item on your winterizing list that needs attention. All six drain holes in your lower unit gearcase need to be checked to see if they are clean and clear. The cavities in the center picture are where the six holes drain from. The last picture is what happens if the holes are not able to drain and freezing occurs. Don't forget to check your lower unit oil for water and drain it if present as it too will freeze.
The engine block is another concern. "F" blocks retain the water in the block by design, the idea was to help reduce rusting. Over the years earlier blocks may have been modified with "F" block components. You need to make sure you block is drained. Ed Zogg, whom I communicated with when I had my 85hp Bearcat told me to pump anti-freeze into the tell-tale, I've taken his advice and also do this to the 55hp. I fill up a oil pump can with 50-50 mix and pump it into the tell-tale until I see it coming out drains in the lower unit.
The engine block is another concern. "F" blocks retain the water in the block by design, the idea was to help reduce rusting. Over the years earlier blocks may have been modified with "F" block components. You need to make sure you block is drained. Ed Zogg, whom I communicated with when I had my 85hp Bearcat told me to pump anti-freeze into the tell-tale, I've taken his advice and also do this to the 55hp. I fill up a oil pump can with 50-50 mix and pump it into the tell-tale until I see it coming out drains in the lower unit.
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