Water hose inlet on wrong side

[84EdH]

Hi, 1979 Merc 228 #1 outdrive.

The original engine had the power steering cooler on the starboard engine side, which is where the water hose inlet through the transom is aimed. I am installing a 1996 350 mag engine and this newer engine has the ps cooler on the port side.


Is their a conversion hose to make this connection?

If not, can I just rig up something with radiator hoses to do the job?

help appreciated!

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Water hose inlet on wrong side

You can probably replace the transom tube with a port sided tube while the motor is out. I'd recommend doing that as opposed to just adding hose. It will probably flow better, and cooling is essential. Look up the transom tube for a GM V8 and your drive. I bet it's a stocking part at Merc warehouses.

 

[84EdH]

Re: Water hose inlet on wrong side

NH Guy, the engine is out but I am in no mood to pull the bell housing (again), just did new bellows, shift cable, etc.
I didnt know their were port and starboard pipe outlet choices. I am using the old transom plate and bell housing from my #1 drive. I figured the alpha gen2 transom assemblies use a port setup, and I am mixing the old and the new........

I have seen some flexible radiator hoses that look pretty good online.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Water hose inlet on wrong side

I simply grabbed a couple of pvc elbows and made a 180 on mine when faced with a similar situation.works great and costed less than 5 bucks in parts.

 

[84EdH]

Re: Water hose inlet on wrong side

haulnazz, thats a good idea! thanks!

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Water hose inlet on wrong side

I even spray painted the contraption black so you'd have to look closely to see it wasn't factory, lol.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Water hose inlet on wrong side

The only reason I even thought about doing what I suggested was cause I figured you'd have the bellhousing off. Also my 5.7 tends to creep up on temp when I idle a long time, so I was thinking fewer bends could help you get best cooling water flow.
By all means make up a piece, all it can do is succeed or not. If it works badly you can still go factory, it's just another thing that you might not HAVE to do.