Fitting new engine cooling cock

[Seashoreman]

The handle has gradually twisted off the nylon(?) shaft of sea-water stopcock on Volvo-Penta saildrive over 2 years. I have resorted to using a 12mm spanner. This works fine for turning on, when engine cold, but slips off when hot/warm when it seems much stiffer. I have had to leave it on yesterday and will probably leave it on until I return next weekend ( I imagine half the problem is to do with the amount of times it has been turned on and off over the years ).
As the boat will be coming out in about a month I am willing to risk leaving water on. I have checked pipes and tightened fittings.
The question is: I am thinking of installing a new stopcock in a more sensible position, in front of the engine. Plenty of room. The inlet would be near the rear of the bilge keels in the middle of the hull. Should I keep the old and knackered cock (maybe have no choice?) and T connect it as a spare inlet? Otherwise I could replace existing, at VP price of £70, but it is in a really awkward position and I would prob pay an engineer to do this as I simply do not have the dexterity and patience to diy.
Water goes directly into pump (VP 2001) and all works very well at present. Is it prudent to add a filter? Dont know anything about them. Water in these parts is fairly clear of debris and weed, churned up mud occasionally.
Is there a mesh filter to fit over inlet?
Any thoughts?

 

[rob2]

I've heard that quite a few saildrive users leave the integral water closed and by-pass it entirely with a conventional thru hull and seacock. If I understand correctly (I have never had or played with a saildrive) the intake is an integral part of the leg feeding a hose to the engine? The improved accessibility is probably the best selling point for a new pick-up but yes, fit a filter - the Vetus version is the most popular. My own boat has a conventional seacock as it's shaft drive, but being behind the engine, I get somewhat warm and oily when turning it off!

Rob.

 

[Spuddy]

Good question. My new boat has just this problem, plus it's a gatevalve and I was considering fitting another seacock. I'd wondered if existing water up leg does owt for cooling but one opinion is that it doesn't. Confirmation would be reassuring.

 

[Habebty]

I have a Beta 722 20hp attached to a Selva saildrive. From new (2004) the boat was fitted with a separate from the leg seawater inlet and seacock. This obviates the problem of mussels and other sealife living in the hard to clean saildrive inlet holes.
I have a 20mm dia hole bronze skin fitting with DZR seacock with transparent reinforced hose and Vetus strainer. Much easier overall to problem solve in the event of a blockage than having the cooling water come up the saildrive leg.

 

[VicS]

Good question. My new boat has just this problem, plus it's a gatevalve and I was considering fitting another seacock. I'd wondered if existing water up leg does owt for cooling but one opinion is that it doesn't. Confirmation would be reassuring.

The sail drive leg is immersed in cold water...... a little bit of water flowing up the engine water intake is not going to make a significant difference I suggest!

 

[Martin_J]

Keypart do a direct 'non-Volvo' replacement consisting of the valve, a spacer/adapter and a washer... I'm sure it wasn't as much as the £70 you mention. I fitted their replacement about three years ago and it still feels as good as new.

 

[Seashoreman]

I have a Beta 722 20hp attached to a Selva saildrive. From new (2004) the boat was fitted with a separate from the leg seawater inlet and seacock. This obviates the problem of mussels and other sealife living in the hard to clean saildrive inlet holes.
I have a 20mm dia hole bronze skin fitting with DZR seacock with transparent reinforced hose and Vetus strainer. Much easier overall to problem solve in the event of a blockage than having the cooling water come up the saildrive leg.

I like the idea of transparent hose and the Vetus strainer. If I was to go with this and connecting existing saildrive connection to a T for back-up this would give me 8 connections to secure. Is this wise? and is transparent hose as secure as regular black rubber? Also when it comes to winterising can you pour antifreeze mixture into the strainer?

 

[Habebty]

The transparent hose is wire reinforced, if the boat is laid up out of the water just open the seacock and drain the strainer. If boat still in the water antifreeze should be fine.
My saildrive inlet is sealed up so not a problem for me. Personally I would abandon the saildrive inlet and just go with the remote inlet.