raw water intake questions.......

[Tri-newb]

Hi guys, I have a 72' vintage Waukesha 302 V-8 with a Volvo 270 outdrive on a
17' "California" trihull. Here's the question: it has a thru-hull raw water pickup with a brass strainer through the floor of the bilge piped to the pump. The outdrive has the inlets on the leading edge of the lower unit, piped up and through the unit and through the rubber hose to the inside hose fitting and then that's it. There is no hose that runs from that fitting to the pump or anything else for that matter. I am very new at this so any info would help. Should both intakes be hooked to the pump? Just one with one capped off? Is one better then the other for intake purposes? Is it normal to have two pickups or do you believe the thru-hull was added later?? I was given the boat recently and am doing a restore on it. It is currently split in half in my garage. I have never had it on the water so it seems to me the intake on the outdrive would just shoot water into the boat when underway. Thank you very much in advance for any knowledge shared!!!! (and for pardoning my ignorance. )

 

[johnmorgan]

Re: raw water intake questions.......

the out drive should be plugged up, a thru hull intake is going to give you better water flow for your big motor.

 

[Don S]

Re: raw water intake questions.......

Just stick with the thru hull fitting. It should not use both. The thru hull set up was probably installed when there was an air leak at the drive where the hose attaches. The hose connector would corrode away and cause an air leak.
When the thru-the-drive pickup is in good working order, it would cool your engine with no problem, worked fine for 454's and 6 cylinder diesels, so your 302 wouldn't strain it.

 

[Tri-newb]

Re: raw water intake questions.......

The thru hull set up was probably installed when there was an air leak at the drive where the hose attaches. The hose connector would corrode away and cause an air leak.

Thanks Don! That may be the case. The hose neck on the outdrive looked very badly corroded ( seemed like it was half gone!!) How and where would be the best place to plug off that feed?
Thank you again!

 

[Don S]

Re: raw water intake questions.......

Just where it comes through the transom shield inside the boat. Put a cap/clamp on the metal hose connection. Hook your thru hull fitting driectly to the pump.

 

[Tri-newb]

Re: raw water intake questions.......

Will do. Thank you very much!!