Thread:

Cooling System Info

I have a 21 Ft. Spectra and I'm getting ready to put a Blown 572 in it as soon as my pistons come in which will be on the 28th. of this month. I have a set of C.M.I. double wall headers and I had it plumbed so the water came out of the pump, through the headers and THEN into the motor. I had it running on the hose 3 weeks ago with a 496 an the motor ran for about an hour and got to 180 degrees, unfortunately, the moron that sold it to me didn't have any head to piston clearance and lied to me about the pistons that were in it and when I revved it up past 4000 rpm's the #8 piston hit the head and disentegrated the piston, rod and block. Needless to say this was a great inconvience. I should have my 572 up and finished by mid July. With the intake I have there is no provision for a thermostat, I plan on cruising long distances at around 2500 rpm's. Will the cooling system work with the cmi's plumbed first? I ran a set of Stellings like that on my Sanger and worked great for 10 years. Would get to 190 to 200 in a long no wake zone and cool down to 140 running. Thats what I'm looking for with the CMI's. Any input would be appreciated. Keep in mind, I'm in Michigan and the surface water is always colder here.

How come only one piston hit?

Originally Posted by SoldHondaBoughtHondo

How come only one piston hit?

All the pistons 'kissed' the flat part of the head, just barely. When you rev your engine up, the block distorts and the # 8 piston is usually the one to go. The engine had a short set of rods and a 4 1/4 stroker crank but the moron used about a 3/16 solid copper head gasket and a set of used 454 pistons. Then he lied to me and told me they were brand new dish 8:1 blower pistons. I opened up the bottom and saw that it had a brand new crank and h-beam rods and I checked the bearing clearence, had no reason to think anybody would be that stupid to waste all the time putting a junk set of pistons in a nice engine. It would have been nice if he had come clean last november, it totally sucks waiting for a custom set of pistons. My dumazz buddie gave me a Dart block with a 4 3/8 stroker crank 4.560 bore and 6.700 rods as a peace offering. It had a set of flattops in it, so I checked it out and ordered a custom set of blower pistons from Aires. 1100 bucks. But it takes 4 weeks, totally sucks. NEVER trust ANYBODY on a motor deal, either watch it being put together or do it yourself, or step up and go with a reputable shop, but I hear horror stories all the time about a lot of so called experts also.

Originally Posted by The Violater

All the pistons 'kissed' the flat part of the head, just barely. When you rev your engine up, the block distorts and the # 8 piston is usually the one to go. The engine had a short set of rods and a 4 1/4 stroker crank but the moron used about a 3/16 solid copper head gasket and a set of used 454 pistons. Then he lied to me and told me they were brand new dish 8:1 blower pistons. I opened up the bottom and saw that it had a brand new crank and h-beam rods and I checked the bearing clearence, had no reason to think anybody would be that stupid to waste all the time putting a junk set of pistons in a nice engine. It would have been nice if he had come clean last november, it totally sucks waiting for a custom set of pistons. My dumazz buddie gave me a Dart block with a 4 3/8 stroker crank 4.560 bore and 6.700 rods as a peace offering. It had a set of flattops in it, so I checked it out and ordered a custom set of blower pistons from Aires. 1100 bucks. But it takes 4 weeks, totally sucks. NEVER trust ANYBODY on a motor deal, either watch it being put together or do it yourself, or step up and go with a reputable shop, but I hear horror stories all the time about a lot of so called experts also.

X4 about that 'don't trust nobody' 4 being the operative number. I did last and it's all good. I asked about the kissin piston cause i set mine up a tight on the deck but it clears ok...was just wondering why one came apart so bad...i'm thinking you don't wear ear plugs? I'm a bit embarrassed
though i think you spent more on pistons than i spent on motor

ok, how many water pick up's in the boat? what size line are they, what water pump are you running, any sea strainers, will you be running a super chiller, trans cooler,oil cooler, oh and how many lines are plumbed into the back of your headers. all this comes in to play. I for one would call the guys at lightning and ask them. on my project I also have lightning full water jacket headers. large neovane V-105 water pump to move alot of water. I have 2 large brass pick up's in the bottom of my boat 1 #16 to sea strainer out #16 to v-105 neovane water pump to nicson spliter and 2 #10s to headers out of the headers 2 #10s to motor out of the motor to back line of headers and dump out. now for the other pick up #16 to sea strainer out #12 to super chiller and out of boat. the other sea strainer port #10 out to dan olson block mount oil cooler and out the back of that over to trans cooler and out of boat. hope this helps. these are some older pics before the other strainer and super chiller.