Replacing manifolds - 45 degree fitting on riser - Cheap replacement?

[Struc]

I'm replacing the manifolds and risers on my Mercruiser 4.3l engine (1988 Sea Ray Seville 20'), and realized they didn't include the fittings for hooking up the water hoses.

The bottom is no problem - Sierra makes a nice drain & 90 fitting to go in there for $7.xx each. Looks like a good idea anyway. The riser is a different story. It's a basic 45 degree fitting.

The fitting on the riser is Mercruiser part number 22-865159, and they want like $40 each for the stupid things. That's an insane price for a stupid fitting, but the only alternative I can find is at Jegs, and even it is $20 each.

Anyone have a cheap alternative?

I tried getting the old ones out but they were WAY stuck, and I didn't bother further and tossed the old manifolds, thinking new fittings would be in the $5 range. Sheesh.

 

[Struc]

Re: Replacing manifolds - 45 degree fitting on riser - Cheap replacement?

Bueller? Bueller?

I hear crickets...

I guess nobody has found a cheap alternative?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replacing manifolds - 45 degree fitting on riser - Cheap replacement?

I tried getting the old ones out but they were WAY stuck, and I didn't bother further and tossed the old manifolds, thinking new fittings would be in the $5 range. Sheesh.

Bueller? Bueller?

I hear crickets...

I guess nobody has found a cheap alternative?

Ayuh,.... I've never had to buy 'em,....

I'm a packrat,.... I'd take a BFH to the risers to get 'em out, before I toss the iron...

Sorry....

 

[Struc]

Re: Replacing manifolds - 45 degree fitting on riser - Cheap replacement?

I'm a packrat,.... I'd take a BFH to the risers to get 'em out, before I toss the iron...

If I still had them, I absolutely would do that now. Had NO idea what they would cost when I tossed them. [sigh]

I think I'll make a home depot run and see what I can make with plastic plumbing supplies.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replacing manifolds - 45 degree fitting on riser - Cheap replacement?

If I still had them, I absolutely would do that now. Had NO idea what they would cost when I tossed them. [sigh]

I think I'll make a home depot run and see what I can make with plastic plumbing supplies.

Ayuh,... I think Merc's might be bronze,...

I donno 'bout Brass, Copper could be an issue, donno...

Plastic might work, if it can stand the vibration...

 

[Struc]

Re: Replacing manifolds - 45 degree fitting on riser - Cheap replacement?

The Sierra bottom elbow / drain units I just got (Part number 18-4224D) are some sort of plastic.

Got them here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000N9Q19M/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details

They don't look any more heavy duty than plumbing supplies I've seen. Can't imagine there is too much stress connecting a rubber hose to the manifold.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Replacing manifolds - 45 degree fitting on riser - Cheap replacement?

The google searches say that it is a stainless steel fitting. So, there's the price difference. $40 each

. . . would straight brass ones work?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replacing manifolds - 45 degree fitting on riser - Cheap replacement?

Have ya looked here at iboats,..??

 

[Struc]

Re: Replacing manifolds - 45 degree fitting on riser - Cheap replacement?

Have ya looked here at iboats,..??

Yup... Couldn't find anything.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Replacing manifolds - 45 degree fitting on riser - Cheap replacement?

I think I'll make a home depot run

Try a "real" plumbing supply store, they put HomeDepot/Lowes to shame when looking for plumbing supplies.

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: Replacing manifolds - 45 degree fitting on riser - Cheap replacement?

Find a real Ma and Pop hardware store,they'll have the elbows and nipples you need.

 

[Struc]

Re: Replacing manifolds - 45 degree fitting on riser - Cheap replacement?

As an update to this thread...

After looking at it further, I decided to just get straight brass fittings. They are 3/4" NPT to 1" Hose barb. Got them for $6.50 each.

Of course, the existing lines won't be long enough then, so I went to the auto parts store and got 3ft (18" each side) of 1" coolant hose for $6.

Problem fixed for about as cheap as could be, given the circumstances.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Replacing manifolds - 45 degree fitting on riser - Cheap replacement?

keep an eye on those hoses

i have seen many a "replacement" hose kinked and collapsed severly reducing flow

it happens when the hoses aren't pre-formed to the right dimensions for routing

 

[Struc]

Re: Replacing manifolds - 45 degree fitting on riser - Cheap replacement?

Thought about that, and was thinking of trying to find a pre-formed 90 degree hose.

However, the sweep is nice and gradual, and since the hose at the parts store gets delivered rolled up in a box, it actually fits perfectly in its current form, since it holds its "rolled up" state.

I will absolutely keep it in mind, though.

 

[stevehoffman]

Re: Replacing manifolds - 45 degree fitting on riser - Cheap replacement?

As an update to this thread...

After looking at it further, I decided to just get straight brass fittings. They are 3/4" NPT to 1" Hose barb. Got them for $6.50 each...

Were the fittings you bought 45 degrees? Where did you get them? I can't find them on Ferguson's Web site (nor McMaster Carr's). (FYI, these parts now list for $54!!!)

Thanks!
Steve

 

[Struc]

No, they were not 45 degrees as I stated. They are straight. They were cheap and easy to find.

 

[HT32BSX115]

10 years ago, I plumbed my Mercruiser closed cooling system using standard brass plumbing fittings from a full service plumbing/home store. I used brass 45 degree street-ELL's, 90's and straights where needed.

If you want to use SS fittings, go to EBAY for them......... SS is pretty expensive if you buy them locally.

Rick