water temp on a 351 windsor

[cooper423]

hey i am near the end of my Donzi 18 restoration and the water temp gauge is reading at the max after 20 min of driving but the gauge is not original with the boat. so two questions, 1. with a water temp cap of 280 on the gauge is something wrong with the cooling process? just installed new water pump and seems to be spitting sufficient water. 2. should i get a engine temp reader instead to get a more accurate reading?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Welcome aboard

First, fix your cooling issue before you use the boat anymore. If the vanes wer missing, find them

High temp means lack of flow

 

[cooper423]

im sorry im not familiar with what vanes are can you elaborate?

 

[Bondo]

im sorry im not familiar with what vanes are can you elaborate?

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,.... The paddles on the raw water pump impeller,... how many were missing,..??

 

[Bt Doctur]

if it was 280 degrees you would have had a steam engine with blown head gaskets and a host of other cracked pieces.
Put your hand on the manifolds and elbows. if your skin burns ,it way too hot .If not ,meaning somewhat warm then your cooling is good but the sender or gauge is faulty. The vanes referred to are the rubber fins on the impeller

 

[Scott Danforth]

Specifically tell us what water pump you replaced. The raw water pump in the drive that should be replaced every few years, or the circulating pump on the front of the motor that nearly never needs replacing