Please Help New Boat Owner- Closed Cooling???
 

HELLO!

This 1990 31 Scarab with rebuilt 454 mags will be my 1st boat ever. I purposely bought from greatlakes because of salt down here in FL.

Some say that I should put closed cooling b4 ever setting it in salt and others are saying it is a waste of money. I want to keep the boat for 3-5 yrs... Other than occasionally hitting the bahamas it will be on a trailer and I will flush it. What do you think??? Will it make a difference for longevity for my purposes or will resale cover the 2-3g it will cost to do this?

Thanks!

Frank

I've boated in salt water all my life w/o closed cooling. Flush it good every time you use it (a night or two on a trip won't hurt) for 5 min. and you are good to go. Some people use a product called Salt Away but I have not tried it. Just flush long enough until the water no longer tastes salty.
No, I am not crazy. The best way to check the flush is with a quick taste!

Just flush after every use and you will be fine. I use salt away every other time out. I flush for 10 mins and have no problems.

Good luck and welcome to your new addiction:circle: :circle:

I used to flush out and taste test the water,never used salt away but from the people that do it works, might be something to do every other time. Would also spray the motors down as well with a corrosion blocker. to make the flushing easier look at the perko flush kits instead of the ears or muff style(just my personal)

Thanks guys... see you out there!!!
 

Thanks!

I have a '90 34' Scarab & recently put on closed cooling on my 454s. Down in Australia it's all salt water & probably the most extreme boating environment you'll find. I think it will prove to be the best investment. I've seen some engines down here that had to be trashed due to internal corrosion. My view - if you live near or run your boat in a salt water environment, go closed cooling for block & manifolds. My 2 cents worth...

Hello... Yeah It Seems That Everyone Is Divided On This One... If 3-5yrs Of Weekend Use... If Closed Is Going To Make A Difference Mechanically On Rebuilt 454's 15 Hrs Ago.

I Heard That If I Run These In Salt, I Cannot Rebuild Them... Is This True??? And Don't Engines Only Last Around 400 Hrs Before You Have To Rebuild???

Any Advise Would Be Greatly Appreciated

While I have been moving my boat parts I found 2 fresh water
units "Never used" Interested???
Mike J.

I just rebuilt mine after 15 years of use in salt water. I flush after every use fresh or salt water.