While changing out my impeller earlier this year on my Westerbeke 10 Two, I also attempted to remove the zinc in the heat exchanger (expecting that it might have not been replaced recently/ever). It's kind of tight access, and I didn't want to bend it all up by cranking on it. All I was successful in doing was rounding off the bolt, even after multiple treatments of PB Blaster. Plus, the cooling system hoses could really use replacing, so I decided to pull it out.
Upon getting it home, a pipe wrench and a big box wrench for pressure in the other direction ended up doing the job.
The zinc was COMPLETELY gone, as expected.
However, upon using my handy inspection camera, I saw that the inside seemed to be in decent shape (but what do I know, anyway?). I fished out one little piece of an impeller rubber from the inside (thanks @william.haas), but didn't seem much else. I decided the $150 the local radiator shop phone quoted for a "boil out" could probably wait. I am in freshwater, after all.
Following Maine Sail's great write-up, I took a wire wheel to it to strip off all the old paint and gunk.
Then coated with some zinc chromate.
Then finally, finish paint using a rattle can of Dupli-Color Chevrolet Red Orange engine paint. Advanced Auto wanted $9 for a can versus $30 for the official "Westerbeke Red". It should be close enough. Installed the new zinc, end cap, gaskets, and bolt. Wire-wheeled the drain cock and reinstalled. Total cost was just over $50 for the parts and paint. Hopefully, we're good to go for a long time.
Upon getting it home, a pipe wrench and a big box wrench for pressure in the other direction ended up doing the job.
The zinc was COMPLETELY gone, as expected.
However, upon using my handy inspection camera, I saw that the inside seemed to be in decent shape (but what do I know, anyway?). I fished out one little piece of an impeller rubber from the inside (thanks @william.haas), but didn't seem much else. I decided the $150 the local radiator shop phone quoted for a "boil out" could probably wait. I am in freshwater, after all.
Following Maine Sail's great write-up, I took a wire wheel to it to strip off all the old paint and gunk.
Then coated with some zinc chromate.
Then finally, finish paint using a rattle can of Dupli-Color Chevrolet Red Orange engine paint. Advanced Auto wanted $9 for a can versus $30 for the official "Westerbeke Red". It should be close enough. Installed the new zinc, end cap, gaskets, and bolt. Wire-wheeled the drain cock and reinstalled. Total cost was just over $50 for the parts and paint. Hopefully, we're good to go for a long time.
