Closed cooling gasket between elbow and manifold

[moetr]

Is the old block off plate with two gaskets a good system for closed cooling? Do I use the Mercury permatex type gasket sealer on those? It costs me $20 a pop plus exhaust gaskets each time for new style and old style is cheaper. I can't even get at the spark plugs without removing the exhaust.

Has anyone ever welded the coolant holes shut and machined these surfaces between elbow and manifold? I wouldn't have to worry about water leakage at this joint if I did that just exhaust gas. Can I weld the cast iron with wire feeder? I was thinking of trying this on the old exhaust set.

(I didn't realize I had to become a Mercruiser mechanic to own one. I guess it is my own fault for buying a saltwater boat to save some money on Ebay. It will be a nice boat though, 1999 Sea Pro 235 WA for fishing Lake Superior.)

 

[04fxdwgi]

Re: Closed cooling gasket between elbow and manifold

Is the old block off plate with two gaskets a good system for closed cooling? Do I use the Mercury permatex type gasket sealer on those? It costs me $20 a pop plus exhaust gaskets each time for new style and old style is cheaper. I can't even get at the spark plugs without removing the exhaust.

Has anyone ever welded the coolant holes shut and machined these surfaces between elbow and manifold? I wouldn't have to worry about water leakage at this joint if I did that just exhaust gas. Can I weld the cast iron with wire feeder? I was thinking of trying this on the old exhaust set.

(I didn't realize I had to become a Mercruiser mechanic to own one. I guess it is my own fault for buying a saltwater boat to save some money on Ebay. It will be a nice boat though, 1999 Sea Pro 235 WA for fishing Lake Superior.)

Or..... You could just buy a roll of gasket material and make your own, since they are just gaskets to seal the blank off plate and have no coolant slots in them. Cost next to nothing and a few minutes to cut out each one.

If you try the welding trick, let us know how it works. Hardly seems like it's worth the aggrivation / labor when rolling your own gaskets is so easy and cheap....

 

[moetr]

Re: Closed cooling gasket between elbow and manifold

Thanks. I may try that as they are cheapo paper gaskets. The welding is simply for peace of mind and with it there is no way for water or antifreeze to leak into engine at this interface unless weld fails.

 

[Don S]

Re: Closed cooling gasket between elbow and manifold

What kind of spark plugs do you use? I'v been a Merc tech for many years, and I have NEVER pulled manifold to change the spark plugs. The proper tool and the right plugs makes it a fairly easy job.

 

[moetr]

Re: Closed cooling gasket between elbow and manifold

OK, maybe I exaggerated a little. I may be able to get at those plugs but not easy. I have about 2" or so clearance between manifold and boat floor. This thing is shoe-horned in there. I am in process of lowering motor mount boxes due to alignment issue and new rear mounts. Had to remove the exhaust just to see the motor mounts to remove motor. Maybe there are tricks but I need 4 foot long rubber arms and a camera to adjust motor mounts without removing exhaust. That locking tab is also a nightmare to hold the bottom nut from moving. Anything I can use instead of that locking tab? Bending the tab with no space is tough. I think aluminum exhaust would have been nice also as those Osco manifolds are heavy. I used a hoist to hold them but I will try some short studs to see if that works better.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Closed cooling gasket between elbow and manifold

OK, maybe I exaggerated a little. I may be able to get at those plugs but not easy. I have about 2" or so clearance between manifold and boat floor. This thing is shoe-horned in there. I am in process of lowering motor mount boxes due to alignment issue and new rear mounts. Had to remove the exhaust just to see the motor mounts to remove motor. Maybe there are tricks but I need 4 foot long rubber arms and a camera to adjust motor mounts without removing exhaust. That locking tab is also a nightmare to hold the bottom nut from moving. Anything I can use instead of that locking tab? Bending the tab with no space is tough. I think aluminum exhaust would have been nice also as those Osco manifolds are heavy. I used a hoist to hold them but I will try some short studs to see if that works better.

Ayuh,... Can't ya pull the manifolds, With the risers still attached,..??
As a single unit,..??
Disconnect at the elbow behind the risers, 'n at the top of the y-pipe....

'ell, the only time I pop off a riser a manifold, is to check it's condition...