Update to Heat Exchanger project

Good luck with the house in CO! You have a beautiful boat, and I hope you can hold on to her as long as you want and do your circumnavigation. We would love to see you out there and that (nearly) one-of-a-kind Whitby!

From what I can tell the only boat manufacturer that is making anything comparable is Kraken Yachts, but a brand new TRUE blue-water 50 footer was not in our budget It really is a case of "they don't make them like that anymore". Definitely worth hanging on to these gems.

Hi Dave,
Welcome to a wonderful boat to sail. I have a 73 with a 4-236. If your Perkins is running smooth I doubt its the head gasket. What I suggest is getting some Barnacle buster mixing it as says on the package in a 5 gallon bucket. then run it through the heat exchanger. This made a big difference to me. I lost my gauges due to a lightning hit but I can hold my hand on the fresh water tank where the radiator cap is at 1500 rpm. Here is a 4108 clean out video which is almost the same as our engine that should help you.

Most of these folks got Ford Lehmans. I love my 4-236 and am replacing all the gauges this week as they just came in. . Cheers. Kevin

Thanks, Kevin! I actually pulled the Hx last week. ONLY took me 5 hours to remove 4 hoses and 2 bolts. I have been soaking in a sodium hydroxide solution (basically drain cleaner) as recommended by perkins, but it hasn't touched my blockage. In fairness, I was not able to safely boil it, as recommened. My Hx looks far worse than the image in your post, so I just ordered a new replacement unit. I will try the Barnacle Buster to see if I can keep the old unit as a backup, but will have to soak it, since I will not be putting it back on the engine unless its an emergency. It took ME 3 days to recover from that "simple" project!

Not quite sure how I will put the new one in, but I may need to remove the aft A/C unit. It is mounted on the aft bulkhead of the engine room. We were getting a fairly strong deisel odor (another ongoing project) from that A/C last summer, so I may move it to the starboard hanging locker or drawer area to maintain access to the exhaust side of the engine. I think I will also replace the exhaust elbow, if I remove the A/C unit.

Thank you all for the helpful suggestions. This is all new to me and any advice is welcomed!

Hi Dave,

My HX was replaced about 10 years ago as the FO left all the receipts for the boat in a nice file for me. I just did the barnacle buster treatment when I bought the boat last year.

Like you, my boat is a work in progress at 50 years old but I am enjoying the ride.

Best of luck and enjoy!

Kevin

Definitely enjoying the ride, Kevin. I retired early in 2020 and bought the boat last spring, so now my job is to work on the boat, maintain and ready the house for sale and be an all-around houseboy, handyman, husband and father. I love this ride. So much better than working for someone else!

I wish you all the best with your project as well!

Dave

Hi Dave,

I too am doing the same thing as you. I took my last contract during Covid and bought my boat the year before last. I am also working to sell this house in Fort Lauderdale and eventually move onto the boat full time. I am not interested in traveling the world but just gunkholing all over the Southern States and the Caribbean. No Pacific or Atlantic crossings for me.

My plans had to change a little as I am now raising a 12 year old granddaughter that I did not anticipate when I bought the boat. Long story. So I will keep one house and she and her grandma can live in while I play with the boat and take some shake down cruises until she is raised. She is a great first mate too.

My last boat project was to rewire the entire boat with marine grade wire and upgrade the panels. Both DC and AC circuits. I have also gone through all parts of the engine and tranny to change fluids, belts, zincs, adjust valves lashes, and now adding all new gauges, tach, stop solenoids, etc. I also completely redid my fresh water system as you will find the tank tops will leak. I placed water bags in all my tanks to get by this issue along with all new water lines throughout the boat.. Next is to replace all the heads with electric heads and all new sewage lines throughout the boat. Thought about composting heads but prefer the traditional.

Overall, I am having fun even if I drink too much beer and spend too much money and time on this wonderful boat. Like you, I am enjoying not working for anyone else and if it takes me 5 years to finish the boat, then it takes 5 years. That is why I am saving the hull and paint for last so I can take a few excursions in the keys and SW Florida. I am moored in Dinner Key in Miami and what a great location for day and weekend excursions.

Enjoy yourself as you sound like you earned it as I have. If you need any manuals or bad advice let me know. lol. I also have all the part numbers for the Perkins Motor and the velvet drive tranny.

Beat of Luck and Smooth Seas! Cheers!

Kevin