1994 Protour 190 Restoration

[RDahler]

Was this to achieve a more consistent temp for the engine? Please don't tell me you plan on using that beautiful boat in salt water.

I've only owned one boat with closed cooling which was on a 485 Mercruiser. They used closed cooling on this family of engines to better regulate the engine temp as well as to control corrosion due to the engine using an aluminum block and iron head. I know the trend now is moving in that direction on the larger LS based engines due to their aluminum content as well.

Never had an issue with my 485 but apparently other did as they had a less than ideal reputation early on. I have to say it was one of the easiest boats I owned to winterize and the power to weight that little engine had was impressive in the little 17' Wellcraft it was installed in.

No plans to ever use this boat in salt water. You are correct on the more consistent temp on the engine. The Lt1 because of the reverse flow cooling system likes to trap air under the upper thermostat and cause a heat spike of around 200 degrees normal engine temp 175. I could trigger this problem two different ways. With the boat warmed up if I turned the engine off for over 10 minutes the water in the engine would leak down threw the sea water pump and draw air in threw the vent line attached to the thermostat housing. I was able to fix this with a check valve on that vent line. The second problem when I backed the boat down a steep boat ramp it would dump the water out of the intake hose for the seawater pump. This large pocket of air would go straight to the upper thermostat and get stuck there as you are letting the engine warm up. The fix turn the engine off for a few minutes and let the air bleed up thew holes in the thermostat.
The closed cooling system should fix the heat spike problems and control the internal engine corrosion.

[bturner2]

Was this to achieve a more consistent temp for the engine? Please don't tell me you plan on using that beautiful boat in salt water.

I've only owned one boat with closed cooling which was on a 485 Mercruiser. They used closed cooling on this family of engines to better regulate the engine temp as well as to control corrosion due to the engine using an aluminum block and iron head. I know the trend now is moving in that direction on the larger LS based engines due to their aluminum content as well.

Never had an issue with my 485 but apparently other did as they had a less than ideal reputation early on. I have to say it was one of the easiest boats I owned to winterize and the power to weight that little engine had was impressive in the little 17' Wellcraft it was installed in.

[RDahler]

I decided to start the new year off right by adding a fresh water cooling system to the 190.

[RDahler]

What RPM?

The RPM look like tracking the speed 4825 at 48.2 MPH and 3000 at 30 MPH

[edwin]

What an absolute beautiful boat...incredible job on the refurb. Without question, a finer example of a 93 Prostar cannot be found.

[RDahler]

Here are a few pictures of the finished project.

[RDahler]

I moved the Temp gauge sensor from the side of the mixer to the port in the head between spark plugs 1 and 3 this gives a more accurate temp indication. Indmar made this change in mid 1994 and on. I was able to reattach the sensor wire at the new location by just rerouting it. This location shows the normal cylinder head temp of 170
The last photo my first tow behind the renewed Protour 190

[Ski-me]

Amazing work and so much great information! Thanks for sharing so many details....

[brucemac]

Beautiful work. Congrats!

[RDahler]

What RPM?

I guess I should have looked at the RPM but I did not scan that during that run. I was watching the oil,temp and speed for the short run that I made. The Mastercraft specification for this boat was 47 MPH with a 3 blade prop. I was told the 4 blade prop may slow it down a few MPH. The next time out if I get a chance to run it up again I will take a photo of the dash and post it.

[ONTHECOAST]

What RPM?

[RDahler]

Has your wife skied behind it yet?

Hi Bret
I have a little over six hours running time on the engine now the rings look like they have broken in just right the oil consumption is near 0. So I decided to go for a full power run for a short distance and see what she will do. Both GPS speedometers showed 48.2 mph and the engine was running as smooth as silk.
Next time out we will hook a ski rope to her I think she is ready to tow.

[bret]

Has your wife skied behind it yet?

[2RLAKE]

wow ....what a get thread .... huge congrats on your masterpiece

[RDahler]

I have also done a total restoration on inside of my lake house and work shop behind it at the same time. The house is finished ,The 94 Protour 190 finished and I just need to paint the trim in the work shop. I also have a 2013 X25 to take care of and I am getting ready to start the restoration on a 1987 K5 blazer that I have. Some time this summer I will do the trailer on the 190.
I am planning on taking the 190 out some this weekend and will take some on the water pictures of it and post then soon.