Warming a BBC
#1
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: I live just outside Fargo ND
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts

Hey guys I have a seemingly simple problem that is until I start researching it and all of a sudden it seems NOT so simple anymore? I have a 22' Donzi with a 502 CI BBC very good AFR heads and full roller and an 8-71 supercharger, the exhaust is through hull above water. The problem I am having is I can never seem to get the boat up to any kind of temperature, if I sit and idle for a little while it will get to where it actually registers on the indicator then as soon as I start moving the temp drops back to the peg on the indicator/gauge. There is no thermostat in the cooling system right now but is this as simple as just putting a thermostat in the cooling system? Ans if so what should be the temp rating of the thermostat? I hope its this simple because others are telling me that I need to restrict water to slow the flow down and that a thermostat will do nothing for building heat in the engine.
Please give me some thoughts on how best to cure this issue!
Thanks much
Karl
Please give me some thoughts on how best to cure this issue!
Thanks much
Karl
#2
Registered
iTrader: (1)

Actually pretty simple. Many higher hp builds are set up to use cooler water temps and more emphasis on oil temps and engine water psi.
What is your lake/ocean water temps ?
You prob have s crosdover system, but why don’t you.post s oic if the frt if your motor to see it’s rigging.
What is your lake/ocean water temps ?
You prob have s crosdover system, but why don’t you.post s oic if the frt if your motor to see it’s rigging.
#3
Charter Member # 55


Cool water temps like you describe are not really an issue and many blower motors are set up that way.
What you need to make sure of is that oil temps are getting into the 200* range.
What you need to make sure of is that oil temps are getting into the 200* range.
The following users liked this post:
obnoxus (01-05-2021)
#4
Charter Member #1171


Quick visual check. Pop the oil cap after a day on the water and see if there is white milky residue on the oil cap. If there is, you are not building enough heat to get rid of the condensation.
__________________
I want to live in a world where a chicken can cross the road and not have its motives questioned.
I want to live in a world where a chicken can cross the road and not have its motives questioned.
#5
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: I live just outside Fargo ND
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts

Hey guys the lakes I am running in the spring are generally in the 45 to 50 degree range then in the summer it can warm up to the 65 degree area and in the Fall back to the 45 to 50 range after that the boats out of the water for the year. I never thought about the oil temp as being the important factor here, but it seems I have been misguided, primarily by myself! This Spring after running the boat for an hour or so I will pull the oil fill and see if I am getting any of that white stuff inside the cap and I know my boat doesn't have and oil temp gauge on it that looks like a new addition that is needed. If the engine oil temp is low is that going to then require a thermostat in the system, or are we getting into the restricting the water flow to help build heat in the oil?
Thanks much guys for taking the time to answer my question I am sure you all have boats with multiple engines and way bigger than mine so I do very much appreciate your ideas and assistance!!!
Karl
Thanks much guys for taking the time to answer my question I am sure you all have boats with multiple engines and way bigger than mine so I do very much appreciate your ideas and assistance!!!
Karl