Heat Exchangers and Oil Coolers

[Bertramp]

I wanted to post an "atta-boy" to LENCO coolers in Amityville, NY (Long island) ... have given me great service and great prices on a heat exchanger and an oil cooler for my Crusaders (I'm doing a re-do on the cooling system), they also do Cummins and I'm pretty sure Mercruiser.
Nice folks, product has a great reputation and prices are user friendly as compared to some others.

http://www.LENCOCOOLERS.com

[Stephan]

Steve
I purchased heat exchangers for my Crusader 454s from them last year. Excellent service, great product and they were well packed for shipping. When its time for new oil/transmission coolers I go back to them.
Best,
Stephan

[PaulJ]

I redid my cooling systems 4 years ago. The heat exchanger and oil coolers have zinc anodes that screw in-bolt type rods. How often do you need to check/replace? Does it matter if the boat is kept on a lift?

Paul J
1973 B28 - PALADIN

[Stephan]

Paul-
I have been replacing the HX zincs every year. They are not terribly degraded but I am mindful that if I let them go they will likely shed pieces into the cooler and fracture when I remove them for replacement. I think the zincs for the coolant exchanger are $2.00 each and the oil/transmission cooler are $1.15 each for my Crusader 454s at boatzincs.com. They can be purchased with the bolt head or without. I might switch to purchasing the ones with the bolt head as it is a pain to clean out the threads in the old bolt head if the old zinc does not come out cleanly.
Best,
Stephan

[Hueso]

Stephan:

If it is not to much trouble, can you please post the specific parts (zinc rods) you are writing about.

David

[Navatech]

How often do you need to check/replace?

It depends on numerous factors such as how much you actually use the boat, other boats in the vicinity, shore power system condition etc... I check mine every 100 hours (when I do oil and filter maintenance)... I carry a number of spares and replace the zincs (bolt with attached zinc) when they're about 15%-20% degraded... It's easy enough and cheap enough...

Does it matter if the boat is kept on a lift?

Being out of the water would insulate you from stray currents caused by other boats and/or marina utilities but there's still seawater in your cooling system so you're not totally safe...

[Rawleigh]

I agree that Lenco is a great comapnay to deal with I got oil coolers from them a few years ago.

[Stephan]

Stephan:

If it is not to much trouble, can you please post the specific parts (zinc rods) you are writing about.

David

David-
Sorry for the delay.
E-1Z Engine Zinc Anode E-1Z 2 $2.00 (Zinc Only)
E-0Z Engine Zinc Anode E-0Z 2 $1.65 (Zinc Only)
Here's the link to the page where I purchase them http://www.boatzincs.com/engine_zinc-only.html
Here's the page with the brass plug attached to the zinc. http://www.boatzincs.com/engine.html

The oil/transmission cooler in my Crusader 454s takes the 0Z and the HX takes the 1Z.

I have used plumbing tape on the threads of the zincs. Am I defeating the connection to protect the metal I am trying to protect?

Best,
S

[CaptPatrick]

I have used plumbing tape on the threads of the zincs. Am I defeating the connection to protect the metal I am trying to protect?

Stephan,

No, there will still be metal to metal (electrical) contact even with Teflon tape. The tape only fills up tiny gaps between the threads...

[Charlie J]

put some never seize on the threads

[Stephan]

No, there will still be metal to metal (electrical) contact even with Teflon tape. The tape only fills up tiny gaps between the threads...

Thank you!
S