I have no idea what tree you have been living in, but your idea makes no
sense. In the first place wet exhaust manifolds for the VW diesel are
readily available from Pathfinder Engines and others. The modern VW diesel
makes in excess of 100 HP, not 52. Dry exhausts are a real fire hazard and
an unecessary risk. Keel cooling is a very good idea and is more common in
fresh water than salt, however you will still require a 5 liter or so
expansion tank.
Steve


wrote in message
...
Hello all,
I have just purchased an older Starcraft 18' runabout that
currently has a 120hp 4cyl Merc gas engine coupled to a series 120
Merc I/O drive. I intend to convert this package, using the I/O, to
diesel using a 52hp 1.6L VW diesel engine in place of the merc 4 cyl.
Due to the relative unavailability (and cost) of a wet exhaust, I
intend to use a dry stack, and run the diesel with a radiator normally
found in the VW vehicles...side mounted and all tucked into a rear
engine box
that will be manufactured to allow adequate breathing and heat
dissipation. My question is regarding the pump system in the I/
O...can I just remove the impeller, or should I direct its output into
an open circuit back into the bay? Does the pump in the I/O have any
cooling or lubricating capacity for the unit?
This project is intended to provide for a work boat used in Coos Bay,
Oregon, for non commercial fishing and crabbing. Reliability and
economy of use are considerations.