Bravo 1 Heat Exchanger Issues?????

[tank1949]

I examined boat this past week that had retro'ed Bravo 1 V8s with heat exchangers. An odd thing odd about the boat was that (when cold) the heat exchanger's body was about 1/2 full, but its fluid reservoir was 3/4 full. I have never experienced an auto radiator being "down" with fluid, while reservoir almost full. Ids this a "flag?"

 

[tpenfield]

Tell us a little bit more about the engines, besides 'V8'. The heat exchanger being low is something to consider, but it does not really tell the story of how it has been maintained. Also, a retrofitted closed cooling system may not be as well engineered/installed as what you see on an automobile.

Could be something as simple as a bad radiator (heat exchanger) cap . . .

 

[tank1949]

Tell us a little bit more about the engines, besides 'V8'. The heat exchanger being low is something to consider, but it does not really tell the story of how it has been maintained. Also, a retrofitted closed cooling system may not be as well engineered/installed as what you see on an automobile.

Could be something as simple as a bad radiator (heat exchanger) cap . . .

383 strokers new crate or reengineered out of Chevy 350s. I don't remember. Motors have 40 hrs on them. Not used much. Owner finished project boat from his brother, after brother lost interest. Cleanest 1986 Sea Ray I've seen. Motors ran great a dock. We have yet to sea trial it. But, low fluid in tank and 3/4 in reservoir seems odd. When I loosened tank's pressure cap, there was no pressure since motors were cold. Motors cranked on first try. Electric chokes, owner said. Looks like AFB or Eldelbrock 4 barrel carbs on Eldelbrock high rise aluminum manifold. Boat is stored dry on lift and never been bottom painted. Owner has other slightly smaller boat for he and his wife. He also indicated that motors have knock sensors. I assume Thunderbolt 5 ignition system, but I didn't see "box."