"closed cooling" kit

[salmonee]

I spoke with a dealer yesterday and he says they make a "closed cooling" kit for boats that run out in the salt. It costs ~$700 for part and installation. Do they make such a kit? How difficult would it be to install such a device on a boat that uses "open cooling" system? BTW, I'm mechanically ignorant.

 

[superpop]

Re: "closed cooling" kit

If you are mechanically ignorant than this is not something you want to try and install yourself.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: "closed cooling" kit

i agree, i do not use closed cooling, as i trailer my boat, and flush after every use. if the boat were to be in the water all of the time, i would want the closed cooling system.

note the closed cooling is only for the engine block not the manifolds and risers (exhaust) they are still cooled by outside (sea) water.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: "closed cooling" kit

edit

 

[gcboat]

Re: "closed cooling" kit

Here's a little reading material for ya' http://www.perfprotech.com/store/articles/marine-cooling-systems.aspx

However, if your motor has been in salt water for some time I find that it would be a good waste of money to install one. A new engine - different story.

 

[mthieme]

Re: "closed cooling" kit

i agree, i do not use closed cooling, as i trailer my boat, and flush after every use. if the boat were to be in the water all of the time, i would want the closed cooling system.

note the closed cooling is only for the engine block not the manifolds and risers (exhaust) they are still cooled by outside (sea) water.

I have a closed system.
My manifolds have antifreeze in them.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: "closed cooling" kit

Salmonee, It may not be too hard to install the closed cooling kit. 4 cylinder engines can use the original water pump impeller found on the MerCruiser alpha drives. V6 motors use either the standard impeller or a seperate belt driven thru hull water pickup. V8 motors use the thru hull water pickup almost exclusively. If you have the 4 or V6, you should be able to install the heat exchanger and do the replumbing fairly easily. If you need to install the thru hull water pickup and belt driven pump, the install will be harder.

If your boat has been used in salt water, it likely not worth installing the closed cooling. Also as was pointed out, there are full closed cooling systems and partial closed cooling systems. Full CC systems have antifreeze in the block and manifolds, but not the risers. Partial CC Systems have anifreeze in the block only.

 

[Ned L]

Re: "closed cooling" kit

Closed cooling systems installations do come in different 'levels'. A basic installation will take care of only the block & leave you with raw water manifolds (& risers if you have them). The advantages of this level are that the engine can be run at the best temperature with a 180? thermostat rather than a raw water 140? thermostat, and the engine life is extended indefinitely. Disadvantages are that the manifolds & risers (if you have them) still rust out & need to be replaced.
A complete closed cooling system will also take care of the manifolds (I'm not sure about the risers, as that depends on the specific riser design). As the cooling water passes directly from the inside of the manifold to the inside of the riser there needs to be an adapter plate installed between the two to direct the fresh water out & introduce the raw water into the exhaust.
Installation is not particularly difficult, but you need to be comfortable with plumbing & installing a second pump to install it. After market kits are available from companies like Sen-Dure. $700 to have it installed doesn't sound bad to me, I'd be curious if this system is a partial or complete system (block only or block & manifolds).