Logo
FULL SITE MENU

Risers and elbows

B

billblough

New member
I have bought a 1991 boat with a 305 Crusader, I don't know the total history of the boat, should I replace the risers and elbows just to be safe? The boat was only run in freshwater and doesn't have many hours on the engine, but the engine does not look like it has been touched.
 
My boat was built in 1991 and sold in 1992. Has twin 350s and has only run in freshwater and is raw water cooled. The engine times are approx 1500hrs on the stbd engine and I had to replace the port engine two years ago and it now has 72 hours on it.

When we took apart the port engine and put in a rebuild it was an opportunity to check all the elbows and risers on the engine going out. In my, and the mechanics oipinion, the risers and elbows did not need replacing. I even had the manifold pressure checked before installing them on the rebuild and they were in fine condition.

Based on what you posted I don't think they need replacing....if it is running well with no problems, why start taking it apart?...
 
For the cost of new gaskets and a bit of your labor, these could be taken down and could be inspected.
The cast iron can be checked for cracks, and they can be pressure tested.
The spent sea water transfer ports can be looked at and cleaned.

The issues could be:
  • Hairline cracks that may cause water intrusion.
  • Clogged or restricted transfer ports that may lead to over-heating.
A bad manifold can/may cause damage to an otherwise perfectly good engine.
Your call!
 
Invest in an IR gun and take some measurements, especially around the risers/elbows...It is the most cost effective way of assessing the health of the cooling/exhaust systems (clogged elbows & insufficient raw water flow).
 
Back
Top