closed cooling kits

[cruzinet]

I have a 1999 mercruiser 5.7efi. Serial number 0m033539. Any suggestions on who and what kit I can get for this engine? It's a stern drive with a alpha one outdrive. Do I need a raw water pump?? The alternator is on the high starboard side and power steering lower port side.

 

[thumpar]

Re: closed cooling kits

How many hours? I remember reading the going to closed cooling was only recommended in the first 100 hours of an engine.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: closed cooling kits

Yep, way too late for a fwc system unless the block was very recent hot tanked.

You do have a raw water pump and on an alpha, it's in between the halves of the outdrive.

Mark

 

[tazrig]

Re: closed cooling kits

How many hours? I remember reading the going to closed cooling was only recommended in the first 100 hours of an engine.

+1^^^ Unfortunately Cruzinet you can't convert the motor to fresh water cooled at this point. The reason being is that after 20-50 hours in salt (a little longer for fresh) you begin to get particles inside the block. These then break off and get stuck in your heat exchanger causing your engine to overheat. When you go to fresh water cooled you either have to order it new that way or do it very shortly thereafter.

 

[GasCan II]

Re: closed cooling kits

Cruzinet:
I would contact San Juan Engineering @ 360-734-1910. They make marine cooling systems and they are very helpful.
They will answer all your questions.
Hope this helps ya !

 

[alldodge]

Re: closed cooling kits

Don't do it...

If you rebuild then go for it

 

[tazrig]

Re: closed cooling kits

Don't do it...

If you rebuild then go for it

+1^^^ If you do without first completely cleaning the water jackets throughout the entire engine not only will you be throwing out your money but you will be plagued with overheating problems!

 

[cruzinet]

Re: closed cooling kits

I'm rebuilding the engine. It's already been hot tanked. The machine shop did all of that. When I'm done putting it back together, It will be a brand new engine. All the websites are so confusing. When I think I found the correct one, it says something like port alternator only. All the websites show a raw water pump on the engines. I was wondering if the water pump on the alpha outdrive would push enough water through. I already spent the money to get her cleaned out. I want to put the closed system to keep her awhile.

 

[thumpar]

Re: closed cooling kits

The engine driven seawater pumps are on engines in from of a Bravo and very rarely on an engine in front of an Alpha.

 

[alldodge]

Re: closed cooling kits

I'm rebuilding the engine. It's already been hot tanked. The machine shop did all of that. When I'm done putting it back together, It will be a brand new engine. All the websites are so confusing. When I think I found the correct one, it says something like port alternator only. All the websites show a raw water pump on the engines. I was wondering if the water pump on the alpha outdrive would push enough water through. I already spent the money to get her cleaned out. I want to put the closed system to keep her awhile.

Hey, new direction....
I haven't heard anything bad about any of them. Only issues were installation issues, bleeding the air out and not getting the right system for the engine. All comes down to price and ease of installation. Would not matter if you have an Alpha or Bravo drive, both water pumps will push enough water to work. Get the full system to protect everything.

Freshwater Cooling Kit for Mercruiser 4.3 - 5.7L Carbureted Engines with Serpentine Belt, 1997 thru 2001, Full Cooling System - CP Performance

 

[tpenfield]

Re: closed cooling kits

I bought 2 kits from SJE via Michigan Motorz. I got the full system so the exhaust manifolds are included in the closed loop.

they work nicely.

 

[cruzinet]

Re: closed cooling kits

I appreciate all your guys help. All this info is very helpful. At least I'll save some money by not buying a water pump. I'll just put towards the closed system.

 

[tazrig]

Re: closed cooling kits

I appreciate all your guys help. All this info is very helpful. At least I'll save some money by not buying a water pump. I'll just put towards the closed system.

Disregard what I said before, I didn't realize it was a rebuild that had been fully cleaned. When I looked into putting closed cooling on my engines last year. Most resellers including Mercruiser were advocating taking out the pump in the Alpha leg and replacing it with a raw water pump powered off the engine along with adding an additional through the hull fitting for a water pickup source or a transom mount to do the same thing. (see below)



As tpenfield suggested it is worth the extra money to get a full system instead of a half one that doesn't cover the manifolds. Here is the number of the people that designed his. San Juan Engineering @ 360-734-1910 Good luck and keep us posted as to what you came up with.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: closed cooling kits

Here is a link to my web page about installing the closed cooling systems. My boat had been in fresh water, and was about to go into salt water.

Closed cooling system Link : Closed Cooling Systems

IIRC the tech guy at SJE is named Brad. The folks at Michican Motorz had me talk with him before ordering the kits since they do not take returns for improper ordering.

Just to be fair to the competition, another aftermarket provider is closed cooling is SeaKamp. They did not seem to have a specific kit for my 454 MPI engines, so I went with SJE.

I would second the recommendation on going with an engine-driven sea water pump. Since my outdrives are Bravo's, I was already set there. Another thing that I would recommend is a sea water strainer, in line before the sea water pump. It will add life to the impeller and prevent marine growth from clogging up the heat exchanger.

 

[dan t.]

Re: closed cooling kits

Wheather or not you need a raw water pump or not depends on the temperature of the water you boat in. Up north here the stock pump in an alpha 1 genII is completely adiquate, I see you are in Florida so I definatly think you need the engine driven raw water pump.