Anyone have experience with these companies and their Fresh Water Conversion Kits?

[Smokin_Joe]

I would like to install a full system fresh water kit.
A local Mercruiser dealer told me that they didn't offer a fresh water conversion prior to approximately 2000ish. I have found a few aftermarket systems that could work but since I know nothing I felt I should ask for your opinion.
I am looking for the best quality to fight corrosion, ease of install, reliability etc
(I have some serious manual dexterity issues and fabrication should be at a minimum...plug and play please..lol)
Some of the web sites are very professional while others are plain.
The boat is a 1985 20' Century Cuddy
Drive Unit serial # A481138
Transom serial # A521520
The maintenance manual says it is a Model 230MR
Here is what I have found for kits and suppliers

https://www.perfprotech.com/mercruis...product/242881

https://www.mrcool.us/mfh-5399-stand...-manifold.html

the following link won't work and I think it is caused by the forum...
https://www.**************/Full-Fresh...-86-95-SK-4821


Links in the following didn't work for my application but I included site for your opinion...

https://www.cpperformance.com/t-mari...g-systems.aspx

I am looking for approvals, warnings ...whatever would help me decide.
Thank You for your time.
Joe

 

[tpenfield]

I got a 'Closed Cooling' kit through Michigan Motorz . . . it was made by San Juan Engineering (SJE). The SK-4821 kit that you tried to post a link to is a SeaKamp kit. IMO probably the better of the kits.

"Fabrication" not so much , but dis-assembly and re-assembly of the engine's cooling system is fairly extensive. Plan on it taking a whole day or longer. The instructions on my SJE kit was fairly vague, so I had to figure some stuff out myself.

I installed a 'Full' closed cooling system on my twin engines (so 2 kits). I did not like how the thermostat flow was designed, because it restricted flow through the exhaust manifolds too much until the engine rose to temperature, then there would be a rush of super hot coolant coming from the exhaust manifolds which caused the temperature to spike. I'm sure it would settle down after a while, but I did not like it. Soooo, I did a little bit of fabrication on the thermostat to resolve the issues.

You are installing closed cooling on an older engine? :noidea: sounds like it. If the engine has been in fresh water only then maybe OK, if any salt water than not so good . . . too much rust scale in the engine . . . the heat exchanger will get clogged

 

[Smokin_Joe]

I got a 'Closed Cooling' kit through Michigan Motorz . . . it was made by San Juan Engineering (SJE). The SK-4821 kit that you tried to post a link to is a SeaKamp kit. IMO probably the better of the kits.

"Fabrication" not so much , but dis-assembly and re-assembly of the engine's cooling system is fairly extensive. Plan on it taking a whole day or longer. The instructions on my SJE kit was fairly vague, so I had to figure some stuff out myself.

I installed a 'Full' closed cooling system on my twin engines (so 2 kits). I did not like how the thermostat flow was designed, because it restricted flow through the exhaust manifolds too much until the engine rose to temperature, then there would be a rush of super hot coolant coming from the exhaust manifolds which caused the temperature to spike. I'm sure it would settle down after a while, but I did not like it. Soooo, I did a little bit of fabrication on the thermostat to resolve the issues.

You are installing closed cooling on an older engine? :noidea: sounds like it. If the engine has been in fresh water only then maybe OK, if any salt water than not so good . . . too much rust scale in the engine . . . the heat exchanger will get clogged

Someone said the San Juan Engineering was bought by Orca Marine
http://www.orcamarine.com/index.html
They are quality custom manufacturers located in Bellingham just south of our Canada US border.
I just put in a request for info on kit 400321.
That is good info concerning the thermostat I will watch for that and when I get a response from Orca I will try and ask them if they have corrected it.
I wonder if an antifreeze filter, like used on a M11 Cummins, would help with keeping the closed system clean...hmmm
Thanks tpenfield
PS...Why did you feel "SeaKamp kit. IMO probably the better of the kits."

 

[Scott Danforth]

make sure you clean out the crud in the block. if you are a fresh-water only motor for now, rust will be at a minimum.

however the fact your motor is 36 years old, I would not waste time or money on a HX until you repower.