1987 454 mcm cooling problem

[Tail_Gunner]

So i know the drill on a conventional system but this thing has a self contained cooling system no fresh water pick (pulls from the alpha drive) and some kind of spring loaded thermostat housing that direct's water to the motor at low speed a redirects at high speed a updated thermo housing is available (not done) and the problem is it overheats at high speed. So being its new to me i can be quite sure there is impeller parts everywhere and finding them in this pluming nightmare is not going to be fun......As i type i am already...quite ready to just tear the whole cooling out and go back to plain jane cooling system...

With that said the boat will not see salt is there any real advantage to this type of system in fresh water....If so should a fresh water pickup be installed...does anyone have any hands on experience with this cooling system and motor..im trying to just do this one time..do it right and not look back....:laugh:

 

[alldodge]

Re: 1987 454 mcm cooling problem

The advantage to closed over open cooling in non-salt applications I see is ease of winterization. Other then that I don't see an advantage.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 1987 454 mcm cooling problem

In most cases the Alpha impeller will not supply enough water flow to a heat exchanger. Thats why most have an engine mounted pump and thru hull pickup.
A half system= block will last forever, like a car.
A full system =block and manifolds last a real long time, only risers are replaced

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: 1987 454 mcm cooling problem

In most cases the Alpha impeller will not supply enough water flow to a heat exchanger. Thats why most have an engine mounted pump and thru hull pickup.
A half system= block will last forever, like a car.
A full system =block and manifolds last a real long time, only risers are replaced

Thank you BT.i thought as much but I am playing with other people's money..it's a long story

Bondo care to step in...

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1987 454 mcm cooling problem

So i know the drill on a conventional system but this thing has a self contained cooling system no fresh water pick (pulls from the alpha drive) and some kind of spring loaded thermostat housing that direct's water to the motor at low speed a redirects at high speed a updated thermo housing is available (not done) and the problem is it overheats at high speed. So being its new to me i can be quite sure there is impeller parts everywhere and finding them in this pluming nightmare is not going to be fun......As i type i am already...quite ready to just tear the whole cooling out and go back to plain jane cooling system...

With that said the boat will not see salt is there any real advantage to this type of system in fresh water....If so should a fresh water pickup be installed...does anyone have any hands on experience with this cooling system and motor..im trying to just do this one time..do it right and not look back....:laugh:

Huh,..??..??..?? Is it freshwater coolin' with a heat exchanger, or raw water cooled,..??

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: 1987 454 mcm cooling problem

Alpha one drive or SEI it has a self contained cooling system...yes it has a heat exchanger or tank, the water or cooling source is supplied by the drive unit. There is no additional freshwater pickup and the boat overheats with just short wot run's. Its all factory stuff or installed by mirage..Im making this to complicated the real question is can alpha one outdrive water pump provide enough water to cool a 454 with a closed cooling system or does it require a fresh water pickup....this project is on a tight budget normally I would just install a pickup and be done with it.....looking for informed opinion's.