My Bravo pick up is corroded - advice on thru hull/transom

[Lemons]

'96 Checkmate Convincor 253
I have the all too common Bravo corrosion in the pick up tube. I think it's time to upgrade to a thru hull or thru transom pick up. What style does everyone recommend? I'm fresh water (north Texas) only but is a strainer a good idea, I'm up for it. Recomendations on parts and procedures very much appreciated.

 

[Lemons]

Pics

 

[Fun Times]

I believe you should be able to clean it up and install a kit from Mercruiser now,

Hardin Marine - Bravo Water Inlet Repair Kit Replaces Mercury 32-8M0090859

Bravo Water Inlet Repair Kit Replaces Mercury 32-8M0090859

www.hardin-marine.com

And I believe there’s an aftermarket option too that’s like the kit above.

 

[Lemons]

I guess I'm using it as a good reason to move to a different pick up. I saw that reapir kit, but for less work (read: more money) I believe I can have a better long term solution.

 

[Kylemenz1]

Teague Marine has everything you need. You can call them and they can get a kit for you. I feel like I got burned from Teague with a big service I did, but their parts department and knowledge is pretty darn convenient.

From what I remember you’ll need: pick up, Sea Strainer, pressure relief valve, through hole fitting for pressure release, hose, clamps, and the Bravo block off plate.

To do it right was not as straightforward and easy as I hoped.

 

[sonicss31]

For your application I would go the Hardin route. No need to add to extra hardware, to fail some years later and most of all I would not want to drill another hole in the transom of a ‘96 Checkmate for fear of discovering rot. I have 2 Checkmates here so I’m watching your decision.

 

[Lemons]

For your application I would go the Hardin route. No need to add to extra hardware, to fail some yeaI would not want to drill another hole in the transom of a ‘96 Checkmate for fear of discovering rot. I have 2 Checkmates here so I’m watching your decision.

I was more concerned with this same failure happening again years down the road. You make a good point about the age of the boat and the possibility of poking the bear.

 

[Ladsm]

I wish I knew about the Hardin kit last summer, I had to have Absolute pull my 496 and repair the Bravoitis.

 

[Jay Dub]

We had Bravoitus a few seasons ago. Hallett 255 496HO B3X. AJ at Barrett recommended Teague external pickup. sea strainer, blockoff etc. easier versus r&r engine and drive. Also he said much better water flow etc.

 

[Lemons]

We had Bravoitus a few seasons ago. Hallett 255 496HO B3X. AJ at Barrett recommended Teague external pickup. sea strainer, blockoff etc. easier versus r&r engine and drive. Also he said much better water flow etc.

That was my thinking. Did you go thru hull or thru transom for pick up?

 

[Jay Dub]

BCM installed the Teague adjustable transom pickup.

 

[Lemons]

It's Sunday and everyone is probably out floating right now, but a little update. I ordered the Hardin "fix kit". Now I'll need to get it running again to get it off the lift and to the ramp.

 

[Yoshiro]

The new hose kits from Mercury have a hard plastic tube that's supposed to cure the problem. I installed a couple of these kits and so far so good.

 

[Lemons]

I did the one linked above from Hardin. Says it has a stainless fitting that "permanently fixes" the problem. I also ordered the billet fitting for the transom side AND a full bellows kit because who knows what I'll get into.

 

[Lemons]

Hardin Marine Bravo updated water pick up arrived. I guess many have used this without issue, but boy this seems to be really necked down.

 

[Lemons]

One more pic

 

[Yoshiro]

How much smaller is it than the black plastic oem screw in retainer?

 

[Lemons]

Screw in retainer is the third pic. I didn't measure it, but it is larger - noticably.

 

[Yoshiro]

I should have measured the ID of the updated mercury hose before I installed them.

 

[Lemons]

I pulled the drive yesterday. Someone gave me the tip of putting the gear selector in forward. I assume that makes it easier to release the shift cable. And here is a pic of the Hardin hose next to their billet transom side fitting. This is the Mirage prop that was on the boat when I bought it. It came with another 25P Mirage prop too, but it has the square bushing style drive.

 

[Lemons]

This is my other prop..I guess with the different style bushing it won't even run on my drive?? Point is, I want to switch to a four blade maybe a 24P.

 

[Yoshiro]

Your spare prop could be needing a standard Mercury Flo-Torque hub to adapt it to your 1" shaft bravo drive.

 

[Lemons]

I got it all buttoned up and ran it on the hose yesterday. I was not able to use the Hardin billet water fitting on the transom side because there was not enough room between my bell housing and the transom bracket. I could not get an Allen tool in there. So the Mercury fitting was reused. Also the Hardin hose repair kit came with studs to install, due to the added length of another gasket and the stainless flange. I ditched those because I was afraid once they were in, the fitting would not have room to slide back and up/out. Again, maybe not a problem if you have more room than I do. I cleaned out the corrosion and it was still tough to get the new hose seated, but all eventually went in.

 

[Rsqfxr]

has anyone seen this ? Its from the mercury service manual, it says the 496 with closed cooling should be pulling water through the drive as well as through the transome

 

[Lemons]

I'm not familiar with the 496 set ups, but it will still need fresh water to cool the coolant in the closed system. I am unaware if they have two seperate pick ups for the fresh water.

 

[Rsqfxr]

I'm not familiar with the 496 set ups, but it will still need fresh water to cool the coolant in the closed system. I am unaware if they have two seperate pick ups for the fresh water.

I have never seen one with 2 pickups but the service manual recommends it

 

[Lemons]

Maybe it's the old CYA 2 is 1, 1 is none.