Procedure for replacing cooling hose

[II Lucky]

The following steps are for replacing the cooling hoses on a raw water cooled 7.4L Mercruiser. They are intended as a recommendation only and the author assumes no responsibility for it's content. The recommendations are based on a 6' middle aged male with just maybe a couple of extra lbs. hanging around.

1) Insert right foot, toes pointed to starboard into molded swimstep avoiding throttle and transmission linkage.
2) Place left foot at 45 degree angle to torso
3) Place top button of Levi 501's on top of Port Riser
4) Carefully place left palm on stringer approximately 4" in front of alternator
5) With right hand, turn fingers upside down and backwords
6) Loosen hose clamp

TIP: Bring more tools than you think you will need or you will be making multiple trips up the ladder, around the hatch and down into the bilge.

O.K. we got one, now there are only four hoses and 7 clamps left.

Working on the boat is still better than working.

Bryan

[SomeSailor]

Too funny. That's the beauty of mine. This one's got SO much more room to work than my 2355. I just kneel down and undo the clamps. So far, I haven't found any part of the motor I can't lay my hands on. It's quite a lot more roomy than my last.

[Go Aweigh2452]

Hey Bryan, been there, done that too... just two weeks ago when I was routing the heater hose... tough to make those tight turns and of course the lack of proper tools made for more than one tip to the garage... :roll:

[Nehalennia]

I have pretty good room as well. Spent most of the day in there today, routing, power wire for the Aux Heater pump, heater power wire and the Garmin Transducer from the transom.
I'm taking a break, that small area makes it tiring work. I'll post some more pictures here (http://iboatnw.com/forum/showthread.php?p=22987#post22987)

[SomeSailor]

I spent the entire afternoon up close and personal with mine today too. What started as a simple trip down to try out the new prop got complicated real quick. :)

This boat has been running cold since I sea trialed it. I've never seen any part of the motor over 125 degrees, and the temp gauge barely moves off the low end of the scale. SO... I figure I'll go ahead and change the thermostat... gaskets and hoses across the front of the motor and belts while I'm there.

The VERY FIRST BOLT I TOUCH... breaks off at the head. :eek:

Luckily... all the rest came off without incidence and I got all the hoses stripped and belts removed. Gonna treat some surface corrosion and get some paint down and get everything back together tomorrow. Never did get on the water though... :rolleyes:

Anyhow.. I do have a very positive comment to pass along about the guys at Harbor Marine. I went in to get the bolts, belts, hoses and clamps I need to get all this back together and as I was telling the guy my story, he asks if I wanted to use their bench in the back of the store. Long story short... I had full run of their little shop and tools and help getting a stuck bolt free of the thermostat housing. Don't try THAT at West Marine. :)

Great guys there... they also answered another question regarding them being affiliated with Fisheries Supply. He said they aren't directly partnered up, but they do price match and support each other's stock in the busy times of the year.

If you ever need parts, they've always got great prices and with their "Captain's Card" ($10), you save 10% on most purchases.

[II Lucky]

I am taking a break as well. It is going to take 7-10 days to ship my hoses. Makes me think that replacing now is a good thing. Probably not an easy fix on vacation. I suppose some gorilla tape could get me through. I will feel better with them replaced. Next I need to have a fresh water tank custom built. I am going to reduce my 40g to 20g. This will free up some storage space down below. I need to carry atleast 18g to offset the weight of the 2 group 31 AGM batts I installed on the starboard side. They are about 70lbs ea. Heavy buggers but they have been great. Happy Boating.

Bryan

[SomeSailor]

They had all my hoses and belts in stock so I was lucky there. This will give me all new rubber and since the belts and hoses were in great shape anyhow, I'll have working spares for the road. I picked up a spare thermostat and impeller kit, so I'll be in good shape no matter where I head off too. My goal is all new fluids, belts, hoses, zincs, plugs, cap, rotor, wires and filters by the start of the season. Almost there. :)

[3788sam]

I do have a very positive comment to pass along about the guys at Harbor Marine.

I agree with you Mike. Love to walk around that place and find stuff. I've worked with Dale a few times there and it's hard to beleive the parts they have in stock behind the counter.
Heck the usually have a recon 3.9 & 5.9 Cummins instock:shock:

I am looking foward to the day they are moving just to see the what kind of moving sale they are going to have!

[Randygh]

Where is Harbor Marine?

[SomeSailor]

Randy;

I assume when you come over the hill on US-2, that you make the I-5 North exit and then the first exit off is Marine View Drive. You follow that around to the boat ramps. If you kept going past the 10th St ramps, they'd be up on the right side 4 blocks up (1402 West Marine View Drive). They're directly across from the Travel Lift and across the street from the pile of gravel the USED TO BE PK's Store :(

Great place to just walk around and check everything out. They have an incredible amount of stock.

http://www.harbormarineparts.com/pagemedia/map.jpg

[Randygh]

Now I remember driving right by it when we slung in at Everett 2 years ago. I'll check it out next time we in Everett.

[Nehalennia]

I burnt some daylight today returning the switch I bought at WM this morning (I wanted a Bezel and WM didn't have one). The original trip to WM wasn't wasted because with the $15 discount, the 12V outlet was $1.67 net.
I took Mike's advice and went to Harbor Marine and bought the switch I wanted with receptacle for the Aux pump. I'm all wired up now and ready to refill the system and test.

Mike, I did buy the captains card (it's a yearly renewal of $10, so I'm glad it's early in the year). It's my new favorite store. They do have everything it seems.

I'm posting my update pics Here (http://iboatnw.com/forum/showthread.php?p=23033#post23033)

[voyager]

I was in Harbor Marine at least three times on friday and twice on saterday, I need to meet some of you guys so I know what you look like. I spent most of the weekend putting my cooling systme back together including two new risers. It would have been nice to have an extra set of hands a couple of times, or at least someone to drink a beer with while staring at the project trying to decide the best way to proceed. Next weekend I am going to attempt pulling the injectors on the port engine and adjusting the valves. I am getting unburnt fuel in the exhaust on that engine.

[3788sam]

We stopped in Sunday on our way home from the boat. Looks like HM got a few bucks from the IBNW's this weekend.

[Nehalennia]

I was in Harbor Marine at least three times on friday and twice on saterday, I need to meet some of you guys so I know what you look like. I spent most of the weekend putting my cooling systme back together including two new risers. It would have been nice to have an extra set of hands a couple of times, or at least someone to drink a beer with while staring at the project trying to decide the best way to proceed. Next weekend I am going to attempt pulling the injectors on the port engine and adjusting the valves. I am getting unburnt fuel in the exhaust on that engine.

My Wife stared at me all curled up in the engine bay. I was grunting and squirming. I felt like this deer in the BMWs' engine compartment
http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o99/ToddOlason/BMW-Deer2.jpg

I wish she poured a beer in me and left me there.

Best of Luck on the injectors.

[voyager]

Man, I have looked at that picture multiple times since you posted it, after I got over how gross it is I started to wonder how in the h*** did it get in there like that?

[Nehalennia]

WARNING
Deer vs BMW (http://clubsearay.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6151&highlight=deer+in+BMW)

[Go Aweigh2452]

I always wondered...





Guess the buck stops there...

[Nehalennia]

yeah, he wasn't going 25 in a school zone...

[II Lucky]

O.K. back to my original post.

As with most boating projects the hours and $'s seem to keep growing. I removed the stainless clamps and thought that it would be a good idea to replace those at the same time as replacing the coolant lines. My SS clamps had a nifty rubber boot at the end of the clamp that kept you from shredding your hands and chaffing other hoses and lines. Seems this is an unknown at "worst marine" and my local plumbing shop. Has anyone seen these and if so where do I get them. Again they are a rubber "boot" that covers the bare end of the clamp. I can get high quality SS clamps, but would like the boot to avoid vibration, chaffing, etc of the other components. Also is there a standard QC clamp that I should be looking for. These are for the coolant lines on the 7.4L raw water cooled.

Bryan

[3788sam]

You can use a can of plastic dip. (sp) You'll find all kind of uses after you pick up a can!

[II Lucky]

Thanks Ken, the rubber dip did cross my mind but these clamps are nice. I would assume that Maxum put them on originally but I may be wrong. I was just hoping to buy new HQ SS clamps with the trick rubber bootie. The new hoses are supposed to be in tomorrow. I may just end up using the old clamps. I guess as long as they still have "bite" they are good to go. I will just make sure I have a few spares in the tool box. thanks.

Bryan

[Go Aweigh2452]

I have the same rubber tips that came with my 6.2 I have used the plastic dip before and it works great. You have to really seal it well otherwise it will get air into the can and dry out. I found adding a piece of clear glad wrap and a rubber band on that before putting the original top back on works great.

[Nehalennia]

you mean these?
http://www.flexicap.com/images/top4.jpg

[Nehalennia]

here's a better source.
EBay for Vinyl Hose Clamp ends (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Wehrs-Machine-Vinyl-No-Cuts-for-Hose-Clamps_W0QQitemZ200190527067QQcmdZViewItem)
http://i23.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/d1/01/97b9_1.JPG

[II Lucky]

TODD, YOU DA MAN!

thanks

[Nehalennia]

I would think a hardware store may have them though. They can't be that expensive http://clubsearay.com/forum/images/smilies/102.gif

[SomeSailor]

I've seen them at Lowes in the Specialty Hardware section as well as the Plasti-Dip.

[II Lucky]

Thanks guys. Did someone say a while back that they were going to buy some inexpensive stern line at one of the big box stores? I think I remember someone giving advice of having 300' so that you could loop it to shore and not have to go back for retrieval. Good tip. What size for a 27-30 footer?

[Go Aweigh2452]

that was probably me. You can find 300ft at those stores for $15 or Walmart has 400ft for $16. Its yellow and not very thick but it does not have to be. I intend to use the "excess" line for my crab or shrimp traps when not tied stern too.