I currently have a fresh water cooled 496, to switch over to a traditionally cooled engine what is involved?
Thanks in advance!

Why would you want to do that? Seems like you have to spend money and have more hassle flushing the engine after every trip to the salt. I must be missing something because I don't understand the up side of this change.

my engine went so I'm looking at a used complete takeout with more hp, and considering my options..... Just curious on how much trouble it would be. I would prefer to stay fresh water cooled but don't know what will be around and budget....

if its a complete package than it would probaly bolt in the same.... it would have the raw water pump and everything it needs to run. I dont see much of a hassle. you cant find a 496HO used?

in the classifieds theres 2 NEW 496 ho's for 10,995 each. Seems pretty reasonable?

You have what is called closed cooling, meaning the cooling water never enters the engine and it cols the engine coolant through aheat exchanger. If you pull the bad engine, then the closed cooling system is gone. You may be able to reuse it on the new engine or just go with raw water cooled for the new engine.

BTW, closed cooling is a good thing for salt water boating.

I am going to try to stay with closed cooling but was curious if i came across a good deal on something that was not equipped that way what would be required if anything to make the change. tcuda, If I change engines I am looking for more than a 50 hp bump, but thanks... also can't make the move right now going to have to wait until January or February, unless some ridiculous deal comes up.

so griff the cooling system is entirely part of the engine? Kinda figured that but was unsure, thanks

No, its mainly just components bolted to the engine. You could probably make the 496 closed cooling system fit another engine. It may work for a higher HP engine as well. I'm not sure what the differences are between the 496HO and the 525efi closed cooling systems.

just swap the cooling system parts over to the new engine...the engines are all the same....Rob