R3M Indirect cooling. Anybody tried t... |
Author |
Message |
Nick Gilchrist
Member Username: nick_gilchrist
Post Number: 4 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 06:01 am: |
|
Seasons greetings Old Marine Engineers, from the SE of England. I have just acquired a 1949 R3M which I am planning to refurbish. Does anybody have experience of indirect cooling for this? It's amazing to me that the engine circulates raw water through the cast iron parts - what stops it rusting away? I know that the engine has survived nearly sixty years, but I want it to go on for another sixty, so I am looking for an elegant solution to indirectly cooling it, maybe keel cooling. If anybody has successfully achieved this, I would be most grateful for any comments. Many thanks, Nick |
David Myers
Member Username: dave_myers
Post Number: 7 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 06:34 am: |
|
Hello Nick, Keel Cooling is very simple and efficient. I have used this on a number of craft to avoid the seawater problems. The rule of thumb is 1 foot of 3/4 inch hard drawn copper pipe per horsepower. I just use Skin fittings through the hull and the pipe supported by a couple of copper saddles to the keel. Run out of the engine to the pipe and return to the pump via an expansion chamber. An expansion tank off an old Morris/ Austin 1100 or whatever you can get hold of as long as it has a pressure cap. The return water goes in the top and the bottom of the tank goes to the pump inlet. Make a mixture of 50% radiator inhibitor and 50% water. The tank only needs to just over half full to allow for expansion when it gets hot. Works very well and is a lot cheaper than a heat exchanger. Hope this helps. Dave |
Nick Gilchrist
Member Username: nick_gilchrist
Post Number: 5 Registered: 09-2006
| Posted on Wednesday, December 27, 2006 - 07:24 am: |
|
Hello Dave, Well that was a lightning quick reply! Very much appreciated and I'll give this a go. Best regards, Nick |
|
|
|
|