180 deg operating temp?

[Nick70]

Just took the boat for the first ride yesterday and the temp was about 170 while in the no wake zone. However, on plane she held at 180..which is the highest I’ve seen. I’m also in much warmer water for the first time. I’m in the inner banks of NC and the water temps are in the 80’s. Maybe close to 15 degrees warmer than what I was previously used to up in New England.
Impeller is 6mo with maybe 10 hrs on it and I have anywhere from 3-11 lb of water pressure from idle to cruising. I’m thinking it all may be fine considering the warmer water I’m in. 180 acceptable?

 

[hottoddie]

Fresh or raw water cooled? How old are the manifolds and risers?

 

[capecodcruiser]

In my opinion, you are fine. And the actual gauges are known to be unreliable. My 350mags run right around that and have for years. I think it is important to watch for changes in running temp and than get concerned. Have you checked your heat exchangers for cleanliness?

 

[Nick70]

Fresh or raw water cooled? How old are the manifolds and risers?

Fresh water (closed system)
Manifolds/risers less than 100 hours.
496 mag Bravo III

 

[Nick70]

In my opinion, you are fine. And the actual gauges are known to be unreliable. My 350mags run right around that and have for years. I think it is important to watch for changes in running temp and than get concerned. Have you checked your heat exchangers for cleanliness?

No I have not checked the heat exchanger..I thought about that too..I’ll look in to how to.
Thank you

 

[hottoddie]

Fresh water (closed system)
Manifolds/risers less than 100 hours.
496 mag Bravo III

2006 is most likely a 1/2 closed cooling system. Even with 100 it's the age of the manifolds and riser that may cause them to be corroded internally. If 3-4 years old or older they could need replacement. As mentioned the heat exchanger may need cleaning internally as well. Remove the end caps and see if the tubes are getting blocked. Reassemble with new end plate gaskets.

 

[Skybolt]

... However, on plane she held at 180..which is the highest I’ve seen. I’m also in much warmer water for the first time. I’m in the inner banks of NC and the water temps are in the 80’s. Maybe close to 15 degrees warmer than what I was previously used to up in New England. ..

That is completely normal. A properly maintained cooling system can only cool down to ~100-105 degrees above the water temperature surrounding the boat. In 80+ degree water and having the engines run at 180 sounds completely normal to me for big block's.

I use to boat in the Long Island Sound which is the same as you, ~15 degrees cooler then the upper Chesapeake Bay. I use to run ~170 in 7x degree water. Now I run 175 for short runs and ~178 in 80 and when the water temp is higher (90's) I run as high as 185 or so.

 

[liv2ryde100]

i think we are all coming up on big replacements to cooling system. u said u did manifolds and elbows already, should be looking at trans coolers and oil coolers in the near future, and also heat exchangers. some people run the barnacle buster through there to clean it out. but if u are holding at 180 even as u increase the throttle above your cruise rpm u should be ok.