ANYONE HAVE SEAWATER PUMP ON THIS ENGINE

[newtoboat101]

Mercruiser 1988 5.0lx /alpha1 gen1 oudrive,i have the cooling system #3 which has no check balls or even those hoses on thermostat for check ball hoses , temp is okay around 180 ,i have a seawater pickup thru hull under my motor ,but when i got boat it had no seawater pump ,can i run a seawater pump on this application with alpha 1 gen 1 outdrive ,it doesn't look like they originally came on this engine/outdrive combo ,anybody else have seawater pump on this combo and if so what brand and part number side note my 5.0lx has alt is low and power steering pump is high both port side

 

[Bt Doctur]

You have raw water cooling using the impeller in the lower unit and 180 deg (if accurate) your running too hot.

 

[Bt Doctur]

you would need to adapt this pump and still leave the impeller in the lower unit to cool the gear oil

 

[newtoboat101]

sorry its running around 160 ,maybe a little cooler ,want to run seawater pump for added comfort is there problem with setting up seawater pump for this application so worried about over heating

 

[newtoboat101]

No Title

is there a certain setup of the seawater pump ,and can i use the pump and setup from 1988 5.0lx with bravo outdrive

 

[Bt Doctur]

There is nothing to worry about using the current pump as long as its changed every 2 years no matter what the temp is. If you are in a area with barnacles, periodically check the inlet holes for growth. Install a 140 stat if it will make you feel better
And those parts will be a bit expensive too

 

[newtoboat101]

ok thanx that setup is quite expensive and for that amount of money ,i might as well go with a half or full closed cooling system are the half kits any good any reviews on which half system is better than other?

 

[Bondo]

,i might as well go with a half or full closed cooling system

Ayuh,.... Addin' closed coolin' to a 30 year old motor is a Bad idea,.....

If it's ever been run in the brine, the block is contaminated with brine, which reacts with the antifreeze to create a goo,....

 

[newtoboat101]

did not know that ,thanx

 

[Scott Danforth]

there are millions of boats running with the alpha leg and pump without a problem. simply follow the maintenance guidelines in the manual.

 

[newtoboat101]

thanx scott