Bravo 2 water flow question

popo4fun

Seaman
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Feb 4, 2009
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I have a 1993 Rinker 260 vee with a 350 mag engine and a bravo 2 out drive. I hooked it up to muffs to check everything out for this weekend and I dont think I am getting enough water flow/circulation, although I dont think its overheating. I guess I have 2 questions for the guys here.
!)what is the standard running temperature for my engine?
2)How much water flow should I see? I know its purely dependant on water pressure with the muffs but my questions is the amount of water discharged. I am only seeing it in what I would call the Jack plate area. There is not any water coming out from the prop which I would think there should be. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I probably should have started this thread with....I know I am an idiot but....
 

04fxdwgi

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Jun 10, 2011
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Re: Bravo 2 water flow question

I have a 1993 Rinker 260 vee with a 350 mag engine and a bravo 2 out drive. I hooked it up to muffs to check everything out for this weekend and I dont think I am getting enough water flow/circulation, although I dont think its overheating. I guess I have 2 questions for the guys here.
!)what is the standard running temperature for my engine?
2)How much water flow should I see? I know its purely dependant on water pressure with the muffs but my questions is the amount of water discharged. I am only seeing it in what I would call the Jack plate area. There is not any water coming out from the prop which I would think there should be. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I probably should have started this thread with....I know I am an idiot but....

At idle, you'll see about 95% of the water coming out of the 2 relief ports on the transom plate (one on each side). Very little will come out of the prop. That is normal.

Std temp usually depends on what cooling arrangement you have, as closed cooling system is different from raw water cooling arrangement. Check your manual (if you have one and if you don't, purchase / download one) to get the proper specs on your setup.
 

dubs283

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5,333
Re: Bravo 2 water flow question

what is the standard running temperature for my engine?

143, 160, 180 degrees depending on what type of cooling system you have and which t-stat

post a serial number for the engine and someone can tell you what you have

what temp are you seeing now on the muffs??

does it appear that all the water is being taken up by the pump through the muffs??
 

MarkSee

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Sep 10, 2010
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Re: Bravo 2 water flow question

My Bravo 3 on the muffs at just idle will only come out the idle relief ports as mentioned above but remember that on muffs, as indicated in the service bulletin (attached below), the boat should be run higher.

The serial number and cooling style as Dubs showed makes a difference and to give you an example of that from the manuals, here's some links to see for yourself.

I wonder what engine year yours really is as this first link in s/m 15 shows that a 92 engine did not list showing a Bravo for a 350 mag, only alpha:
Boatinfo - Mercruiser Service Manual nr. 15 - 1989-1992 - GM V8 Engines

Now then from this s/m #17 it seems your engine would be newer than a 93:
Boatinfo - Mercruiser Service Manual nr. 17 - 1993-1997 - Engines GM V8 305 & 350 CID (5.0L 1993-1995)

Then here's a couple pages from s/m #17 showing 2 different temps of thermostats depending on close or raw cooling but also shows stainless steel or brass has a different spec:
Boatinfo - Mercruiser Service Manual nr. 17 - 1993-1997 - Engines GM V8 305 & 350 CID (5.0L 1993-1995)

Boatinfo - Mercruiser Service Manual nr. 17 - 1993-1997 - Engines GM V8 305 & 350 CID (5.0L 1993-1995)

Mark
 

popo4fun

Seaman
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Feb 4, 2009
Messages
72
Re: Bravo 2 water flow question

Thanks for all the input. I will try to respond to your questions but once again I just want to say thanks for taking time out of your day to try and help me.
@04fxdwgi.... Good to know the water circulation is probably acceptable. I did take off the raw water intake from the circulation pump and it was pulling water from the muff to the engine so I know I am getting some circulation. That answers your other question that its a raw water cooling system.
@dubs 283 ....I believe its a 180 tstat...i installed it last year along with an impellar. That is why i was asking about the temp and circulation cause changing that impellar was a pain....very hard to get to. Mercrusier really needs a more convenient location for a routinely serviced part such as an impellar. Also the serial number for my engine is D842217.
@marcksee.... It should be a 93 engine and remember it the bravo2. see about serial number

Thanks again guys
 

dubs283

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Re: Bravo 2 water flow question

Mercrusier really needs a more convenient location for a routinely serviced part such as an impellar.

not mercruisers fault, the boat builder basically builds the boat around the enging package - some are worse than others

sea water pumps need to be mounted low so they draw water easier from the lake
 

04fxdwgi

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Jun 10, 2011
Messages
754
Re: Bravo 2 water flow question

Thanks for all the input. I will try to respond to your questions but once again I just want to say thanks for taking time out of your day to try and help me.
@04fxdwgi.... Good to know the water circulation is probably acceptable. I did take off the raw water intake from the circulation pump and it was pulling water from the muff to the engine so I know I am getting some circulation. That answers your other question that its a raw water cooling system.
@dubs 283 ....I believe its a 180 tstat...i installed it last year along with an impellar. That is why i was asking about the temp and circulation cause changing that impellar was a pain....very hard to get to. Mercrusier really needs a more convenient location for a routinely serviced part such as an impellar. Also the serial number for my engine is D842217.
@marcksee.... It should be a 93 engine and remember it the bravo2. see about serial number

Thanks again guys

Can't comment on your 350. I only have Big Block manuals, but manual for mine calls for 143 deg stat for carbed motor on raw water, 160 for EFI motors. And yes, the raw water pump can be a royal P.I.T.A. to get too, but much better than an Alpha.... :D
 

popo4fun

Seaman
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Feb 4, 2009
Messages
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Re: Bravo 2 water flow question

Maybe Don can weigh in with my serial number and tell me the correct temp. I ran it on muffs forever last night...got right to 180 and then the tstat kicked in and never got any hotter. I am def getting good circulation so not worried on it. I just dont want to ruin my engine with it running too hot. I know a reg chevy engine will handle 210 temps for normal conditions and proper preformance. I just dont want to replace a boat engine...lol
 

Don S

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62,321
Re: Bravo 2 water flow question

Go to this link, https://webapps.brunswick.com/literature/literatureSearch.do
type in your engine serial number hit continue, go to the parts catalog and look at standard cooling. There is three designs. Find the one with the thermostat housing like yours. The discription gives the temp of the sender.

No Mercruiser engine uses a 180? thermostat that I am aware of. Even EFI closed cooling only use a 160?
 
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