Shutter Valve Maintenance

[RC54]

So, I pulled my risers off of my 1983 Mercruiser 5.7L 260HP today to inspect them and my shutter valves, since I'm certain that they've never been off before. At least not since I've owned this boat, which is since 1994. The hobbs meter reads 479 hours.

I know nothing about these flapper valves so I need to ask what a normal one looks like, and how they function. They were both still there, and hanging freely. There appears to be no spring so I assume that they hang open normally and water pressure coming back into the pipe causes them to close....like a check valve.

I removed the right one and wiped it off and it appears to be in good shape. Question is should I go ahead and replace them since I have them off, or are they OK to continue in service.

Attached are a couple pics...

 

[GA_Boater]

They look great. It's overheating and no water flow through the exhaust that eats them alive.

 

[Scott Danforth]

keep up what you are doing and they should last another 35 years

 

[RC54]

No overheating right now, but it did get pretty hot once last year. Ended up having to replace the thermostat, which solved that overheating problem. It didn't overheat by a lot...maybe got up to 180-190. Temps went back to normal after thermostat replacement.

So, I guess I'll just get some new riser gaskets and put her all back together.

Thanks guys!

 

[Scott Danforth]

make sure you replace the impeller every 3-5 years

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Those shutters look just fine,.....

They're the 1st thing to fry, when the impeller fails,.....

 

[RC54]

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:tea: