What would you put on this A4?

[sastanley]

Chuck, thanks for updating your profile pic to show the boat..looks great!..Now you need to get back to the boat and take some pics of the HX arrangement.
I was not aware that A-4's were ever offered with HX/FWC, as Joe mentioned, but apparently so, and maybe you have one!

BTW - My FWC arrangement is a small SenDure 2" x 15" HX...(from memory it is a 2AT15) It has been performing admirably.

[alcodiesel]

I have talked with Tom at Indigo. Nearly ready to throw down for his electric pump FWC.
Things holding me back:

1. The A4 has been just fine for 40 years and runs fine now. I keep thinking: "if it an't broke, don't fix it."

2. Added complexity to the system. I like KISS.

3. Mechanical competency-wise, I know I can do this. Physically-wise, not so sure- I have the body of a 90 year old. (disabled vet.)

I guess I am looking for inspiration. I also plan on keeping this boat in perpetuity.

[edwardc]

Its really not a bad job to do. I found that the hardest thing was finding a place to mount the HX that met all my requirements. After that, its just some simple hoses and clamps.

FWIW, here is my list of HX mounting requirements:

1) Clear vertical sight line into the fill cap, in order to make it simple to inspect and add fluid. (in my case this meant protruding the fill cap into a sail locker.)

2) Easy access to the zinc for annual (or more) replacement without disassembly.

3) Easy removal of the whole HX without other disassembly in order to clean and rod-out when it becomes necessary.

I was fortunate in that I was able to come up with a mounting that met all these requirements.

[alcodiesel]

Copy that. Thank you, Ed, and for the pics. I'm getting re-pumped.

[romantic comedy]

I made my own "system". Not that it was hard. I had a hx from v-8 and bought a pump from MMI in 96 or 97.

I would highly recommend a mechanical pump if you want to go kiss.

My set up is a little different as I have the new pup, for sea water, mounted where the alternator was mounted. I mounted the high out put alternator on the flywheel PTO. Have never had a problem with the system since installed in 97. I did remove and clean the hx twice, just for fun.

You say that this is your last boat. I say the same thing. Go FWC. It runs better and lasts longer. (sounds like a ****** ad)

[joe_db]

Well there is a lot to be said for KISS. I have a whole bunch of wire and hose now that I didn't before.
OTOH salt was eating my engine every second of every day, moving it closer to the salt-eaten engine graveyard the last two engines went to. Now that process is stopped. After 40 years I would guess you don't have much more metal to lose. Climbing around and connecting hoses can be a PITA, but so can installing a new engine.

Originally Posted by alcodiesel

I have talked with Tom at Indigo. Nearly ready to throw down for his electric pump FWC.
Things holding me back:

1. The A4 has been just fine for 40 years and runs fine now. I keep thinking: "if it an't broke, don't fix it."

2. Added complexity to the system. I like KISS.

3. Mechanical competency-wise, I know I can do this. Physically-wise, not so sure- I have the body of a 90 year old. (disabled vet.)

I guess I am looking for inspiration. I also plan on keeping this boat in perpetuity.

[sastanley]

alco,
Here is my "home-built" fresh water cooling system to give you more inspiration. I am using a CM-30 Johnson pump, tucked underneath the 15" heat exchanger on the cool side, where it then sends antifreeze to the side plate. The pump draws less than 3 amps, so I wired mine right into my ignition system..when the key is on the pump is running (which is nice, I can confirm it is running because I can hear it before I turn the key to start.)

The original mechanical pump sends the raw water to the heat exchanger & out thru the muffler.

The hardest part of the entire deal was getting all the dead Chesapeake muck out of the motor. I did a manual cleaning, along with a couple acid flushes and vinegar flushes to accomplish that.

[ndutton]

Keep in mind Shawn that now the Chessy muck resides inside the HX. As you know I repaired an M25XP HX (spent its life in Pacific water) which by necessity included a muriatic acid soak to clean out the innards.

[sastanley]

Yeah...that is on the list for the HX this summer..I've run two full seasons I think, so it is time to check it out too!

OT - Right now, I have a smokin' hot section..need to see what's happening there..it is now 7-8 seasons old.. may be time to replace it too!