Need recommendation from all who have converted to FWC

[Unwroolie]

Hours of searching this and other forums, as well as the internet at-large, has produced the expected volumes of incomplete and contradictory information. I haven't even been able to compile a complete list of who manufactures fresh water/closed loop systems.

So...for everyone out there who has converted a raw water engine to closed loop, I'm looking for comments on which manufacturer makes the "best" system. Not necessarily the best price, but the best-designed, easiest to install, most trouble-free, longest-lasting, etc.

1996 270 Sundancer
7.4l Bravo III (carbureted and V-belted)

 

[Strecker25]

I can't be of much help with the kit but is this to retrofit your 96 motor? Most of the responses I see to these kinds of questions are basically, don't bother. The rust in the passages can block up a new heat exchanger in a hurry

 

[Unwroolie]

This was a freshwater boat all its life, but it's going to start living in salt water. Ran a borescope into all the cooling passages I could get to and they're all pretty clean.

 

[Stee6043]

I'd bet you'll be miles ahead by rigging up a DIY flush kit rather than going through the effort and investment of converting to freshwater-cooled.

Rig up a valve and a garden hose attachment upstream of your strainer and run the boat on a hose for a few minutes before leaving it for the weekend. Sub $100 project, all-in. If you're planning to trailer the boat you could use the boats own water to flush the engine via outdrive muffs. Even cheaper. $50 all-in?

If you're insistent on freshwater cooling you can get high-quality, USA made heat exchangers from Mr Cool. I've used them in the past, they are excellent. You'll have to DIY the connections, fanangle the pumps, add a resevoir. Totally doable. But I'm betting this is a $1500 project all day long. I bet a marina would be happy to quote this. I'm assuming dealing with the pumps will be the most challenging part. The rest is pretty straight forward.

http://www.mrcool.us/

http://www.mrcool.us/18390t-mercruiser-heat-exchanger.html

EDIT - "freshwater cooled"

 

[Stee6043]

Well hell...I wasn't too far off.

http://www.mrcool.us/mfh-5230-mercruiser-v6-v8-block-manifold.html