Guys,

Got another one for the gurus.....

Upon searching for the oil cooler on our boat, it came to my attention that the air breather for the ProCharger was seriously nasty; at least partially clogged with gunk. I removed it, cleaned it and reinstalled it. While out, I noticed it is the air breather that came on the 496 throttle body. I'm guessing that Merc probably engineered it with just enough breathability as to not hinder necessary airflow, but still prevent any significant intake of debris, which probably means it's not really enough for a ProCharger. With the install location of the ProCharger on our boat, I would need to add an elbow between the intake snout of the ProCharger and the air breather, if I wanted to upgrade the air breather to something more providing. I think there's plenty of room, if I route the water hose (that is currently laying against and in front of the breather) inside the elbow. Anybody got any resources for these? Google hasn't been much help, nor was the tech at ATI. Intake snout of the ProChager is 3.75"

Thanks. Brad.

Ayuh,..... Boats don't run air cleaners, they run flame arresters,.... Not much dust in boat bilges,.....

Ayuh......Lol!!!! Bondo, You are not helpful at all!! Everyone knows what he's talking about. He just needs a lead on an elbow for his application. Do you have a lead on an elbow??

I thought Bondo's greeting of "Ayuh" was like a head slap, meaning "how could you ask such a dumb question" Turns out that "Ayuh" is just a greeting. Live and learn. In my defense, you can see my ignorance coupled with his less than helpful post would lead someone to believe he was just being a$$. My apologies Bondo.
Brad, I can't believe Summit doesn't have anything. Don't they sell complete kits? They must sell individual parts?

Bondo,

Flame arrester

This is what I’ve currently got. It is, in fact, a flame arrester. I still think it probably does not quite give adequate flow for a ProCharger on the engine it was designed for. From an engineering standpoint, I’d have to guess Merc engineered it to provide just enough for the 496HO @ WOT. I’m also absolutely certain that my engine, with a ProCharger, is drawing considerably more air that stock. Not to mention there’s a 1-1/2” sea water hose laying right up against it, likely restricting flow even more. It’s also tucked up under the engine (almost), which means it’s drawing from what I’d consider restricted air space, anyway. I think I’m going to find something that will provide more air.

That said….

After pulling it out, I found some considerable oily debris sludge on it:



This was just from brushing my hand on it looking for the oil cooler. It would appear we may have a slight leak somewhere, although I have not noticed a significant loss of oil over time. I suspect this is mostly belt dust.

I did consider running without it, just to see if it was restricting the engine at all, and my nephew said, “I don’t know. Looks like it’s caught a lot or sh!t”.”

To be honest, I don’t think there’s really much need for a flame arrest or at all, seeing as the intake tract on this boat is about three feet long, and includes an intercooler and a turbine chamber. But I don’t intend to eliminate it. Just move it and increase it in size. Which leads us to:

https://a.co/d/3CUFmIP]Aluminum Intake Elbow[/url]

I think I found what I need. I should be able to angle the long leg out away from the engine, into some open space. I’ll also probably fab up some bracketry that will support it, so it’s not hanging on the intake snout of the ProCharger.

Thanks. Brad.

Crack the hatch open if you need more air to see if that is an issue.

Helmwurst,

I don’t think it’s an overall airflow issue, but a more localized one. I’m not convinced the engine is restricted at all, really. But, if there is some restriction, it’s going to be the breather and where it’s located. I also don’t think it’s ideal to be drawing air from under the engine.





Thanks. Brad.

Frozen boost has a lot of pipe and couplings to relocate the spark arrester . I do not like the air intake that low in the bilge it can suck up all kinds of drips and water sloshing around . My super chargers get air from the top of the engines