SoCal Jet Boats
Tech Talk => Projects => Topic started by: skibber on November 12, 2010, 01:45:21 PM
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Hi all, I'm ready to begin work on my 1970 18' Sea Ray Pachanga SRX. It has a Berkley 12JB installed but the 455 Olds is long gone. The boat will be used on the E.coast in salt water. I'm considering dropping in a Mercruiser 5.7 or 383mag for reliability and better corrosion protection. I want to keep the Jet. I'm pretty good mechanically but I've never done an engine install before. Should I leave it to the Pro's or Jump right in ? What are the challenges of converting a 455 to a Modern Mercruiser. Thanks for any responses.
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What kind of better corrosion protection are you hoping for?
I've got a fresh 454 if you want to go down that road.
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I'm actually leaning towards closed cooling. It's really the only way to go in salt water.
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I am having a hard time understanding what you are trying to achieve...
Are you going to put a Mercruiser engine assembly in front of the jet? Or are you going from jet drive to a Mercruiser I/O?, you can read it both ways...
For salt water, closed cooling is most definitely the way to go, I have done literally dozens of these, including building the heat exchangers from scratch.
I would highly recommend if you are going Mercruiser power package (drive and all) I would try to get the pricing difference between closed cooling and open, a lot of times it is way less expensive to do it as an option as it is to do later.
If memory serves me (rarely does) it is like a $1500 kit but can be added to the package for less than $900 (pricing is old, but you get the idea.
I can build a heat exchanger itself for just over $850 and for an additional $100 can build it with an integrated oil cooler... All 100% Copper and in custom configurations.
Let me know exactly what you are trying to achieve and I can get you turned in the right direction... :thumbup:
BTW, it takes 3-4 weeks to complete a heat exchanger depending on how crazy you want it...I'll get some pictures of what I am talking about, maybe as soon as this weekend... ;)
GT
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I'm still undecided on which engine to install as long as it can be mated to the Berkley 12JB. My concern is engine placement, mount location , mount installation , and adapting the new engine to the jet.( all I've never done)