SeaDogAK
Senior Member
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2021
- Messages
- 386
- Vessel Name
- Sea Dog
- Vessel Make
- 1991 DeFever 49 RPH
I’m in the process of installing a new heat exchanger on my Westerbeke 6kw genset. Since I didn’t know how old they are, I decided to replace all the coolant and raw water hoses at the same time. I’ve got the HE installed, and all the coolant hoses installed, but when it came time to start connecting raw water hoses, I discovered that the hose bib for the raw water outlet on the new HE is 7/8” but the old hoses (and the new hose I bought for $200 to replace it) is 1” ID. I tried clamping down the 1” hose on the 7/8” bib, but not surprisingly it sprays water everywhere. I talked to the HE manufacturer, and their suggestion was to replace the 1” hose with 7/8”, which would require me to replace all the downstream fittings, and buy new hose since I already bought 1” hose.
I’m thinking the answer is to put a short length of 7/8” hose on the HE, and use a 1” to 7/8” reducer fitting to connect that to the 1 hose. But I haven’t had any luck finding such a fitting.
I found what looks like a silicone reducer, but I’m not sure that’s going to work for salt water at high temperature. (https://hpsperformanceproducts.com/products/hps-22mm-1-inch-silicone-straight-reducer-coupler-reinforced-transition-hose). I was thinking something made of metal (bronze? Stainless?) would be better, but I haven’t been able to find such a thing.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to hook this up?
I’m thinking the answer is to put a short length of 7/8” hose on the HE, and use a 1” to 7/8” reducer fitting to connect that to the 1 hose. But I haven’t had any luck finding such a fitting.
I found what looks like a silicone reducer, but I’m not sure that’s going to work for salt water at high temperature. (https://hpsperformanceproducts.com/products/hps-22mm-1-inch-silicone-straight-reducer-coupler-reinforced-transition-hose). I was thinking something made of metal (bronze? Stainless?) would be better, but I haven’t been able to find such a thing.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to hook this up?