888 conversion to fresh water cooling

[vstroker]

In addition to fixing the milkshake in one of my engines, I am considering going with a fresh water cooling system.<br />The boat is a 1977 Welcraft w/ twin Mercruiser 302 fords. I have seen both kits and just the (heat exchanger) available for sale.<br /><br />1)Which system do I need?<br /> <br />2)Can I use the heat exchanger, re-route my hoses, block off the risers and re-route the hoses from the water pump, or is the kit the route I need to take?<br /><br />Anyone have experience in this area?<br /><br />Thanks for the help!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 888 conversion to fresh water cooling

If your current system is working properly aside from your coolant to oil leak why change it?<br /><br />Based on your location being in Florida that relates to salt water. A closed system prevents the salt water corrosion in the engine. <br /><br />Consider the switch carefully or your maintenance demands will go up instead of down.<br /><br />Bob

 

[vstroker]

Re: 888 conversion to fresh water cooling

Thanks for the imput (Bob-Vt).<br />Do I understand you to be saying that going to a closed system could actually increase my operating cost, even running in salt water?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 888 conversion to fresh water cooling

My bad <br /><br />I was confused, I was thinking you were talking about converting a closed system to an open system.<br /><br />Trent Help please.<br /><br />Bob

 

[Stanp]

Re: 888 conversion to fresh water cooling

the fresh water system on my crusader 350's has a raw water pump that's belt driven off the engine. The pump pushes raw water thru the heat exchanger and exits into the exhaust manifolds, thru the mufflers and out the back of the boat. The fresh water (coolant) is circulated by the water pump on the engine-just like a car engine. the fresh water is pushed into the heat exchanger where the raw water cools the coolant. I don't know the configuation of your 302 fords but it seems fairly simple to just reroute the hoses to the exchanger to accomplish a closed system. <br /><br />Does your boat have twin I/O's or inboards? If they are I/O's you might consider installing raw water pumps that are belt driven off the engine rather than using the pump from the outdrive. The closed system needs high volocity pumps to push the raw water thru all that extra hose, exchanger, etc...Just a thought.