If I rebuild my Chevy 350s, should I add a closed fesh water coolant system?

[rs2k]

I know Chevy 350's are cheap, but is it worth getting a closed fresh water cooling system for salt water use? This is for my 28 foot twin engine cabin cruiser. I do intend to trailer the boat, I don't really want it to sit in salt water for weeks at a time. I found a new system for $800 that also cools the exhaust manifolds. The manifolds have extra ports to allow operation in a closed looped coolant system.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: If I rebuild my Chevy 350s, should I add a closed fesh water coolant system?

Howdy,

If I was going to rebuild/replace the engine(s) on a boat that didn't have closed cooling I would install it.

Your engine will run FAR better, use less fuel and oil and last MUCH longer with closed cooling.

Also, since you have a cabin class boat you can use the engine coolant to heat the cabin and for hot water.


Since you have 2 engines, it'll add about $1500 to your repower cost for the kits....

I got my closed cooling kit from the following company: http://www.oceaneastmarine.com/


I LOVE it!

Cheers,

Rick

 

[WizeOne]

Re: If I rebuild my Chevy 350s, should I add a closed fesh water coolant system?

Also, depending on where you live, it will greatly simplify winterizing your engines.

Another benefit, as I see it, is that you can install a 180 degree thermostat. Unless you are fuel injected (computer set for OEM thermostat spec) your motor is much happier and efficient running at that temperature. The lower OEM temps are only perscribed as salt does not tend to 'plate' out in the engine as much at the lower temps.

My 302 Ford, once warmed up, runs with the guage glued on 180 deg whether I am idling, at no wake or at high speed.

..and btw HT32BSX115, those prices are excellent. The system listed for my 302 is less that $100 more than what I paid for mine eight years ago. Do you suppose those are San Juan Industries systems?

 

[rs2k]

Re: If I rebuild my Chevy 350s, should I add a closed fesh water coolant system?

Well, I was convinced that I was going to go ahead and add a fresh water coolant system, but after pulling the heads off of my problem engine it looks like the problems were do to a blown head gasket. I really thought it had a cracked block. I'll post some questions about this in another thread.

When the time does come to re-power, I will most likely add a fresh water system.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: If I rebuild my Chevy 350s, should I add a closed fesh water coolant system?

I would only add closed cooling if you were going with a new block.

 

[rs2k]

Re: If I rebuild my Chevy 350s, should I add a closed fesh water coolant system?

So a rebuilt marine block shouldn't have a fresh water system?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: If I rebuild my Chevy 350s, should I add a closed fesh water coolant system?

..and btw HT32BSX115, those prices are excellent. The system listed for my 302 is less that $100 more than what I paid for mine eight years ago. Do you suppose those are San Juan Industries systems?

I got mine about 3 years ago. When it was shipped it came directly from San Juan Engineering and Manufacturing Co. in Bellingham, Wa.
I spoke to them directly and they answered all my questions and helped me with the installation. All in all it was a pretty easy installation.

So a rebuilt marine block shouldn't have a fresh water system?

You usually want to put closed coolingon an engine that has not developed a lot of corrosion in the cooling jacket.

Just make sure that you're getting new or automotive blocks that have only seen anti-freeze in their past lives.

My engine had about 100hrs on it (fresh water use) when I installed mine. I had the engine out and I flushed all the loose rust out of it.

The conventional wisdom is that if the cooling system has more than 100hrs on it or a lot of rust is in the cooling system and any flakes off, it'll eventually plug the heat exchanger.

It is possible to clean a heat exchanger but it's not fun.

If you're going to get reman long blocks ask them how they clean the blocks. (or ask about getting reman's with new blocks)


Cheers,


Rick