Can I use direct cooling in saltwater?

[rotor_av8]

I've been looking into a lot of things for the boat I recently picked up. It has a chevy V8 with OMC drive and direct exchange cooling instead of the 2 part exchanger type that has a sealed onboard system of fresh water. Can I use this system in salt water if I flush it with fresh water as soon as I pull out of the water after each use? Any reccomendations for this like special treatment or cleaner to flush through occasionally like cleaning a radiator?

Thanks AGAIN for the help,

Rotor

 

[mikeneal]

Re: Can I use direct cooling in saltwater?

Absolutely, I boat almost exclusively in salt water and although it makes the manifolds and risers require replacement about every 5 yrs no other issues. I have a 1988 that had about 2000hrs on it (est) and when I removed the head to replaced due to a cracked water passage the water passages had almost no corrosion, I was shocked how well the motor internals looked as compared to the Mercruiser cast iron.
Well not as good for anything as compared to fresh water but you certainly can do it.

 

[oops!]

Re: Can I use direct cooling in saltwater?

if I flush it with fresh water as soon as I pull out of the water after each use?

yup

oops

 

[oops!]

Re: Can I use direct cooling in saltwater?

btw....

welcome to i boats rotor!

 

[oops!]

Re: Can I use direct cooling in saltwater?

rotor...av8...

hmmmm...would that be as in rotorary wing av8tor?

if it is...... we need your help in dockside chat under the heading "the greatest question on....."

if not..jump in any how...

cheers
oops

 

[tombstone]

Re: Can I use direct cooling in saltwater?

You have a eng. that is raw water cooled as opposed to closed cooling. The pic of engine shows a lot of salt water use. Remember when flushing engine must be running so that therm. is open to thoroughly flush the block. Run eng. 1000-1500 for 20 min. on fresh water for a good flush. Hope that helps.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Can I use direct cooling in saltwater?

Yes....
Interesting battery placement, btw....​

 

[rotor_av8]

Re: Can I use direct cooling in saltwater?

rotor...av8...

hmmmm...would that be as in rotorary wing av8tor?

if it is...... we need your help in dockside chat under the heading "the greatest question on....."

if not..jump in any how...

cheers
oops

Yes I fly choppers. I'll go check it out.

Yes....
Interesting battery placement, btw....​

I have a dual battery system and they both will fit in there but I want to build some sort of strap down system because for the time being they are free floating and being held down by the standard 6.67 x 10E-8 force...

 

[rotor_av8]

Re: Can I use direct cooling in saltwater?

I guess an add on to my question would be is direct cooling actually designed for salt water?

 

[Lou C]

Re: Can I use direct cooling in saltwater?

Well with inboards, cast riron block and manifolds, my opinon is they were meant for closed cooling, an outboard was designed for open cooling in salt. You can run a raw water cooled (open cooling) inboard or I/O in salt water but eventually you have to change the manifolds/risers about every 4-5 seasons depending on the salinity of the water, thermostats get crudded up and have to be changed more often, thermo housings also have to be changed eventually. The engine (block+heads+intake manifold) can take from 10-15 years of this before rotting out from what I have seen, ones that are flushed frequently can do better, but still closed cooling is the way to go if starting with a new engine.