Alpha cooling to crank conversion on 454
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Just converted my RWC 87 250 SD 454/Alpha, to a volvo crank driven raw water pump with an 1 1/4" thru hull raw water pickup, so I no longer need the alpha cooling. Do I still need to keep an impeller in the sterndrive to cool the outdrive ? Or can I install drive shower to cool it, in place of the impeller. Are there other ways that will cool the outdrive without an impeller
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I believe you have to keep the impeller in there. I wonder if you put a nose cone on it if that water forsed up the nose cone at speed would cool it off enough?
Jon
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Take the hose that comes from the drive (the cooling water line) and turn it back out thru the transom using a thru hull fitting, just above your drive. Instant drive shower!! I've seen this done many times, especially on Bravo's with thru tansom intakes, while underway, you get great flow for a drive shower. With the Alpha, you will even get flow while at idle.
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So apparently, the impeller must be used and replaced every year just like before. As this is the first year for the new crank pump, I was going to connect the existing transon (Alpha) cooling hose to an existing thru hull and just pump it "in and out". This way,,, I have it as a back up in case the Volvo crank pump fails for any reason "should I need it".
I'm waiting for other boaters to flag me down to tell me I'm taking on a lot of water "bilge is at full flow"
Thanks Scott
I'm waiting for other boaters to flag me down to tell me I'm taking on a lot of water "bilge is at full flow"
Thanks Scott
Last edited by makomagnet; 01-01-2004 at 11:44 AM.
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Do it Waterfoul's way and you don't have to change the impeller every year. It should last 5 years or more and you can tell if it's bad, just look over the transom.
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I bought an alpha that had a nosecone on it and it didn't have an impeller in the drive, but I put one in anyway. I really don't think it's necessary, how much cooling is that three eighths line going to do compared to the entire leg in the water?
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Originally posted by bowtie
cuda, your probably right its not necessary. But I'm confused, what three eights line and what foot in the water. I must have missed something.
cuda, your probably right its not necessary. But I'm confused, what three eights line and what foot in the water. I must have missed something.