puffcard wrote:
The heat exchanger both water and the oil are the problem. I know of two W50 that were killed with the oil exchanger failing, including mine. Been told by a few in the know they are not required. After rebuilding I ran my W50 for 15 years without one. I also replaced the SW to FW exchanger for one from Mr Cool. Much better built for 1/5 the cost. The W50 will leak oil, they all do after a while.
I really think what you did is exactly the right thing: the saltwater oil heat exchanger was another preposterously dumb idea in the original W50 and your rerigging that was smart by whoever thought of it. I am not sure I would feel comfortable running the engine constantly for days without an oil cooler, but there is nothing special (except that it is way too small and runs on salt water) about the original oil cooler on the W50. If you replace it, it seems smart to at least put a generic one that is much larger. Better yet, cool it on the freshwater side of the system as you have done.
Ray Durkee
Velera #373