Converting I/O from saltwater to freshwater cooled
 

Is there any point in converting a five-year old 135hp 3.L MerCruiser
w/Alpha drive from sal****er to freshwater cooled?

I'm happy with the way it is, but was reading an I/O-OB thread and one
guy wrote something about freshwater being the only way to go, and it
got me thinking ...

a) is it possible?
b) is it cost possible?
c) is it a do-it-yourselfer? (I'm handy enuf)

Figure you guys have opinions on this

Gary

Converting I/O from saltwater to freshwater cooled
 

You're probably about due for an exhaust riser. Fresh water cooling is not
as great as some claim. If you include your exhaust manifold you will
extend it's life but you have to have a pretty good sized heat exchanger to
do that. You will always have salt water in the riser no matter what
cooling system you use. And your engine block will be worn out long before
salt water does anything to it. It can be a diy job.

"gjoyce" wrote in message
m...
Is there any point in converting a five-year old 135hp 3.L MerCruiser
w/Alpha drive from sal****er to freshwater cooled?

I'm happy with the way it is, but was reading an I/O-OB thread and one
guy wrote something about freshwater being the only way to go, and it
got me thinking ...

a) is it possible?
b) is it cost possible?
c) is it a do-it-yourselfer? (I'm handy enuf)

Figure you guys have opinions on this

Gary

Converting I/O from saltwater to freshwater cooled
 

There is also the question of reliability, anything to improve reliability
of your engine when out on the water is worth the investment.
If you have any aluminum parts on your current engine, they ought to be
inspected. Biggest problem I have noted is the heat exchangers sometimes
leak externally or internally.

I have twin IH 392 fresh water cooled from new and no corrosion anywhere,
engine or manifold, boat built in 1970 .
I improved the system, now my risers are fresh water cooled, only a short
tailpiece is salt water cooled. I did this modification myself. Bought 4 new
risers, blocked the single water outlet port in the riser and attached
bronze tailpieces with a salt water injection port to the risers ends. The
heat exchanger handles it fine, even with some blocked tubes.

"Lawrence James" wrote in message
nk.net...
You're probably about due for an exhaust riser. Fresh water cooling is
not
as great as some claim. If you include your exhaust manifold you will
extend it's life but you have to have a pretty good sized heat exchanger
to
do that. You will always have salt water in the riser no matter what
cooling system you use. And your engine block will be worn out long
before
salt water does anything to it. It can be a diy job.

"gjoyce" wrote in message
m...
Is there any point in converting a five-year old 135hp 3.L MerCruiser
w/Alpha drive from sal****er to freshwater cooled?

I'm happy with the way it is, but was reading an I/O-OB thread and one
guy wrote something about freshwater being the only way to go, and it
got me thinking ...

a) is it possible?
b) is it cost possible?
c) is it a do-it-yourselfer? (I'm handy enuf)

Figure you guys have opinions on this

Gary