Formula Folks - - Could use some advice. I am what you would call "Mechanically challenged" however I am learning.

Heres the deal...I have a 96 271 SR-1 and the temp has seemed to be getting real high on (175 -180 degrees). THe shop said it was fine the gauge was reading about 10 degrees too high. Regardless, seeing the temp that high makes me a bit nervous. I've thought about having a 145 degree thermostat installed???

First thing I would do is use and infrared heat gun to measure the temp at the thermostat. These are pretty reliable. Take several readings from different positions (port, starboard, top, front, to the best of your ability). If hse's running hot, more than likely its a thermostat issue. If she's not hot, then its either the sender or the gauge. Just my .02

Thanks for the $.02. A heat gun was hooked up to it and that is how they determined the gauge was about 10 degrees too high. Which means just on a short ride the temp reaches near 170. Isnt that a bit high?

I would agree that it is high. Should run about 150. I'd look at the thermostat first.

When was the last time you inspected the sea water pump? Sometimes those plastic vanes break off. Any chance that your water pickups sucked up some mud?

Formula One.....you don't state what model motor you have but if it is fuel injection then it should have a 160deg t-stat in it. Having worked for a Formula dealer, I can with certainty say that the analog gauges do read 10-15deg's higher than what the motor is seeing. Hope this helps!?! JB

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Yup that is what I was thinking. Just did that with a friends Sutphen. Replaced the pump and everything was great. The old pump looked great but was not pumping enough.

Jon

Thanks for the help all. BTW, Large block 454 M.P.I.

I appreciat the input...Puts my mind at ease a bit. How difficult/expensive is it to replace the pump?

FormulaOne -

I THINK (something I am not usually good at) that standard gauges are good for relative measurements only. For example, if you have a rig that has been out fifteen times and the temp gauge has always read 175 degrees, then I wouldn't worry. If the temp has jumped to 175 from 160 over the course of one trip, then I would worry about the sea water pump. It is all a matter of knowing your boat.
I think standard practice on a new boat would be to do routine maintenence (including a new sea water impeller, no matter how recently the previous owner says it was done). Then you can establish a baseline.

THis is just my .02.........OK maybe just .01 cents worth.

Thanks Grog. I'll start there.