kool keel diesel engine

[carlos bairo]

hi to all'''''
i like to know if it's better to fit the engine (kubota 28hp diesel) with a
heather exchanger or with out ,i have a kool keel sistem instalation on
my boat,up to 30kw area kooling,
cheers carlos

[FAST FRED]

The usual reason for keel cooling is to get rid of the second pump and heat exchanger.

Keep your keel cooling , BUT , install a thermostat in the keel cooling circuit to prevent over cooling. This is common on keel coolers as overcooling can be a problem.

FF

[carlos bairo]

FF;; thanks for your reply,i belive that i could fit a normal tractor engine and saving
on the exstra cost of a marine engine with heater exchange ,dealers on marine motors
on sydney prefer to sell the complete unit try to persuade my thats the best way to gow luckily to have all your experience people on the forum .
most regards carlos

[FAST FRED]

Just dont "save" on a cheapo transmission.

My suggestion is a Twin Disc , rebuilt ,used from a TD dealer is fine.

Even a low time running takeout is fine.

Avoid Hurth ot Velvit drive

FF

[gonzo]

A keel cooler is a good idea. A tractor engine not so much. By the time you fit a marine gear and fabricate a custom exhaust it will cost way more than a marinized engine.

[Vulkyn]

Wouldnt it also have a lower life span and more problems Gonzo due to marine environment?

[FAST FRED]

Wouldn't it also have a lower life span and more problems Gonzo due to marine environment?

Nope until you get into the huge sizes of SHIP engines , most "marine" engines are simply tractor or HD truck engines.

With a dry exhaust there is no need for a special wet exhaust manifold , simple insulated covering will keep the engine room temps down (120F max).

FF

[Vulkyn]

So just a radiator then will keep it cool enough, is rust due to salt water an issue ? (sorry dont mean to hijack thread!)

Originally Posted by Vulkyn

So just a radiator then will keep it cool enough, is rust due to salt water an issue ? (sorry dont mean to hijack thread!)

No,

the keel cooler unit will. A car radiator rusts away.

[Vulkyn]

http://flagshipmarine.com/keelcool.html

OK got it thx

[cthippo]

What is the downside to keel coolers? Are they damage prone? Do you usually have a raw water backup system? What do you use as coolant?

[FAST FRED]

Are they damage prone?

Most are mounted where if the boat takes the ground on that side , there clear.

Also the mounting spot is worked so travel lift slings cant get it.

Hitting debris the trash is pushed apart bu the bow getting wider, the cooler is usually aft of the max beam of the boat , so out of the debris stream.

No backup is done as the stock water pump , built into the engine is really reliable.

The ability in hard freezing areas (the cooling system fluid is 1/2 antifreeze , like a vehicle) to just walk away at days end is a huge plus.Genuine diesel antifreez (not Prestone) is used to extend the engine life.

Although a bucket is sometimes tossed over the exit of the dry exhaust.

My preference is for a muffler setup that is REALLY quiet , and doesn't require the pail.

Look at "Hospital Critical" exhaust systems used in standby gen sets for the idea.

FF

[carlos bairo]

FRED do i need a heater exchange on a kool keel beta marine engine,
(kubota) 22hp the kooling area will take up to 30kw engine,it look to my thats
is similar to the car kooling sistem witout the radiator just the kooling voids
at the keel.please i need some info about the instalation with dry exhaust,
best regards carlos

[FAST FRED]

www.waltergear.com

Here is an old company that has been creating keel coolers "forever".There are others .

What is the dry exhaust question?

FF

Originally Posted by carlos bairo

FRED do i need a heater exchange on a kool keel beta marine engine,
(kubota) 22hp the kooling area will take up to 30kw engine,it look to my thats
is similar to the car kooling sistem witout the radiator just the kooling voids
at the keel.please i need some info about the instalation with dry exhaust,
best regards carlos

The keel cooling unit is the heat exchanger, what else would you need?

The exhaust duct has to be heavily insulated to avoid burning your boat, thats it in principle. (really heavy)

Regards
Richard