merc to volvo freshwater cooling kit

[dmessenger84]

My boat is a 1999 larson 186 glx with a 4.3L that I am in the process of putting a rebuilt motor in. The block is an 090m and it has vortec heads on it. I have a guy that wants to sell me a mercruiser fresh water cooling kit for very good deal and its the same era engine that its for. I need to know how and if its even possible to make it work. Also I have the crank mounted raw water pump and stock Volvo electric fuel pump.

 

[bnicov]

Re: merc to volvo freshwater cooling kit

The guy wants to sell you his stuff so he can be rid of it. How are you supposed to mix VP and Merc cooling systems?? Stick to stock parts for your VP setup, Merc stuff won't work and vice versa.

 

[dmessenger84]

Re: merc to volvo freshwater cooling kit

Its a guy I know at a boat salvage yard. Its not as though he yanked it off of his boat to sell because he was having problems. Also I know its better to keep using vp parts when necessary but I looking at 100 bucks vs 700 that's why im trying to figure out what will and wont work about and maybe a way to modify it so it will using my vp raw water pump with his thermostat housing.

 

[Maclin]

Re: merc to volvo freshwater cooling kit

What are your reasons for wanting to put fresh water cooling on your engine?

 

[dmessenger84]

Re: merc to volvo freshwater cooling kit

Mainly its because I want to keep antifreeze in the block and if and when I ever take it to the salt I would like it to be somewhat protected. I do a lot of fishing and some of the best fishing is when we are still freezing every night so it makes it tough to justify a two hour fishing trip with an hour of d-winterizing just to have to do it when I get home

 

[Bondo]

Re: merc to volvo freshwater cooling kit

Mainly its because I want to keep antifreeze in the block and if and when I ever take it to the salt I would like it to be somewhat protected. I do a lot of fishing and some of the best fishing is when we are still freezing every night so it makes it tough to justify a two hour fishing trip with an hour of d-winterizing just to have to do it when I get home

Ayuh,... Then save yer $100.00, 'n learn how to Drain yer motor of water....

It takes me all of 3 minutes to drain everything at the boat launch before the trip home from fishin' in freezin' weather...
'ell, if ya call that winterizin', I used to do it 10 times or more each year...
Dewinterizin' includes puttin' a hose back on, 'n the drain plugs back it, if ya hadn't already done so... another 3 minutes...

Even with the closed system, ya still Gotta drain the raw water side, or it'll Bust everything, anyways....

 

[dmessenger84]

Re: merc to volvo freshwater cooling kit

Thank you so much for the instruction on draining the motor. if anyone has some helpful advice on what im trying to do I would really appreciate it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: merc to volvo freshwater cooling kit

I have a guy that wants to sell me a mercruiser fresh water cooling kit
I need to know how and if its even possible to make it work. Also I have the crank mounted raw water pump and stock Volvo electric fuel pump.
if anyone has some helpful advice on what im trying to do I would really appreciate it.

Ayuh,.... Yer tryin' to frankenbuild it as Merc. 'n Volvo no doubt, did things Differently....

I don't doubt it Can be done, ya just gotta see what you've got to work with, 'n Adapt whatever needs adaptin'.....

Maybe Don or somebody's got pictures of the water flows ya need,...
Most service manuals have the basics...

You'll probably need a different T-stat housing, 'n abuncha fittings...
But again, you ain't got the heat exchanger to see...
'n is it gonna be big enough to include the manifolds, or just the block,..??

Findin' 'n drainin' the, what ?, 5 drain plugs on yer motor is still easier, 'n cheaper though...
With yer crank mounted pump, I'd pull a hose from it, 'n the big hose on the circulating pump...
So long as ya prod the holes with a screw or somethin', it'll be Freeze Proof, to atleast -40?....