I am new to owning a boat and wanted to see what the device was called that you connect to the lower end of the motor to supply water to cool the engine. I need to do a little work on the motor and didn't want to have to head to the lake every time i wanted to start it up. The motor is a 70hp 1977 johnson.

not sure of the correct name...I alway called them mickey mouse ears...you can get one at walmart for under 5 bucks

mrfish, they are called motor flushers. Here is a picture of one from BPS, but as Hendo said, walmart has them chearer than BPS.

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.T...t=SearchResults

I've always called them ear muffs. Just ask for an engine flush adapator. Do not rev the engine above 2500 RPM. Make certain you have enough pressure to supply water for cooling but not too much. I read somewhere that too much pressure can damage the water pump.

mrfish.. You can buy one at any boat supply store
I call them a dog bone (have no clue as to why thats just what my brother called them) should be cheap maybe 4 or 5 bucks, hooks to the existing water hose

Had to take a phone call but yes Steve it can damage the impeller

Hendo, RangerGuy, Steve Pine, oldtimer, thanks for all the replies! When I bought the boat the rpm gauge was broken. Any ideas on how to wire a new one up? Sounds like i probably need to get it working before i go and try crank this baby up out of the water(heck it would be nice have one anyways for being on the lake).

Hey Mrfish,
The most common cause for tachometer failure is a bad rectifier. A food way to check it is to hook up a DC volt meter to the battery. Note the voltage with the engine off, then start the engine. The voltage should increase to a maximun of 14.6 + or- 1 volt. If it does not increase, the rectifier is bad. Your tachometer wiil not function, and your battery will not get a charge from the stator( alternator ).
If the voltage does increase, then either you have bad wiring, or the tachometer is not getting power, or a good ground. If you look on the back of the gauge, there are 4 terminals. I, stands for ignition. When the key is turned to the on, or run position, you should get battery voltage. G, stands for ground. Battery negative. S, stands for send. This is from the rectifier on the engine. The last one is for the light in the gauge, and should illuminate when you select navigation lights.
Hope this helps
Capjun

Cabellas calls it a motor flusher, I call
it ear muffs.

MrFish,
Just be careful with these, the dern things break very easy, cheap plastic I think.