280 in cold water?

[DangerNewb]

Any tips on running a 280 in cool water. Local water is upper 40s and I cant get much warmth in it without running it hard. I prefer to run it easy and warm things up before jumping on plane but the temp barely moves unless I go ahead and get on plane which requires a spin up to 5k or so as it slips and hooks. Is this just how it us with no thermostats? Sure you guys up north run in cold water for the first several weeks of the season.

[eli]

I only run in 55 or higher water

[Markus]

It is how it is with no thermostats.

These are race engines, designed to run hard.

It may also be an important reason why Mercury bothered with Nikasil-coated aluminum sleeves.__PRESENT

[DangerNewb]

Any thoughts on restricting the water flow by adding something like a small piece of hose inside the discharge lines? Seems I recall the left side is the water that has run through the block? Viewed from behind the engine. Left side doesn't run through the block or is that completely wrong. If correct, then it seems restricting the flow on left side would help it run warmer? I understand it's a race motor. I'd prefer to get any motor up to some reasonable operating temp before turning much rpm. I try to run it once every 4 or 5 weeks rather than sitting for 5 months over winter. Thanks for any input.

[Michael J Giesler]

I ran my 2001 280 and water temperatures at 34 degrees air temp 15 degrees no issues let the engine idle and warm up for 10 minutes Limpet on plane Cruise very slowly for another 10 minutes then you're good to go

[Dave Strong]

Any thoughts on restricting the water flow by adding something like a small piece of hose inside the discharge lines? Seems I recall the left side is the water that has run through the block? Viewed from behind the engine. Left side doesn't run through the block or is that completely wrong. If correct, then it seems restricting the flow on left side would help it run warmer? I understand it's a race motor. I'd prefer to get any motor up to some reasonable operating temp before turning much rpm. I try to run it once every 4 or 5 weeks rather than sitting for 5 months over winter. Thanks for any input.

They designed the cooling system that way for a reason, Do Not screw with it.

Dave

[Greg G]

Danger,
If they aint making heat, I'd proceed with extreme caution :eek:

[Dave Strong]

Danger,
If they aint making heat, I'd proceed with extreme caution :eek:

If you buld heat on aluminum sleeve motor at idle or low rpm then flood the cylinders with cold water at high flow you will stick a piston. Thats why the system is designed the way it is.


Dave

[eli]

I ran my 2001 280 and water temperatures at 34 degrees air temp 15 degrees no issues let the engine idle and warm up for 10 minutes Limpet on plane Cruise very slowly for another 10 minutes then you're good to gowhut seriously mike boating in 15 degrees

[Capt.Insane-o]

Never really has an issue with nic motors. if your nervous choke down the poppit dump.

[Markus]

I have run 260s just above the freezing point. So cold that the wing effect of the deck made the condensation in the air freeze on the deck.

If you start messing around with steel sleeves, it is a different story.