thermostat

What Boat do you have? EFI or Carb? Raw water or closed cooling?

Oh and the engine is a 351W

Typically the engine temp will run about 20 degrees hotter than the T stat installed especially after hard high speed runs. You are getting beyond that point so check all your RWP suction side hose connections for air leaks. Strainer gasket too - plus, we just had this come up, do you have a flush kit on the boat?

No flush kit installed. I tightened up all my hoses. The strainer was on good and tight. So I don't suspect any air leaks.
I was just wanting to get on the lake on Friday or Saturday - didn't want to have to wait for the thermostat to be shipped but looks like I'm gonna have to wait.

Can you borrow a thermo temp gun from someone and pick up engine temps in a couple places? Gauge wiring and function are always a little suspect in the era you are talking about.

The correct torque for the raw water pump is "not too much!!" Get them snug, but don't go crazy. The pump is brass and the threads can strip.

Not sure on the thermostat housing, it can take a little more torque. You should be able to find specs in the manual in the reference section.

Check this for some things to check as well:
http://www.skidim.com/Faq_TROUBLESHOOT.asp#RWTS

I replaced the thermostat and put on new gasket but water is leaking at the housing where the water inlet is supplied by the RWP. How do you supposed to seal it?

It was leaking bad even after tightening it down some more. I'll try to clean the mating surfaces up a bit more.

Don't know much about that. The Permatex was recommended to me by David at White Lake Marine when I bought my thermostat. Although, he did say it was more to kind of keep the paper gasket in place.

teelta wrote: It was leaking bad even after tightening it down some more. I'll try to clean the mating surfaces up a bit more.

teelta wrote: I have Gasket Shellac. What about that?

Did you clean up the mating surface at all? Gasket shellac - wow, you are taking me back a few years!! How long have you had that stuff? I'm still a big fan of Permatex #2 non hardening. Yes, it too has been around for many years but it does work. No on the silicone in this application!!

I'm not sure if it's supposed to dry...

You haven't been watching it the whole time, have you?!   

I think it's the tackyness that helps keep the paper gasket in place. Kind of like a glue.

I probably put on more than I really needed. It bulged out the sides a bit. Hopefully that won't hurt anything.   

teelta wrote: Is there a procedure or recommendation for testing the temperature on trailer using a fake-a-lake? I replaced the thermo, took out some big flakes of rust in the housing, inspected the impeller (which shows no sign of wear), tightened down all clamps, have good seal on screened filter, tested the RWP to make sure it is pumping water...anything else?

You can get an idea in the driveway, but it won't be under load or pumping completely on its own.

I concur with both Brain and Greg. Think about this, will the pressure from the hose gives you a false indication of cooling since the boat isn't woking under normal conditions on the water - correct?? I'm going to pull a "79" here but, do you have any friends that can help you?

Did you ever clean up the mating surfaces as recommenced and HOW DID YOU DO IT?????

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I cleaned up the mating surfaces...first with a putty knife, then with a wire brush. But the good news is the thermo housing is not leaking.
Used the fake-a-lake method b/c that is what I have on hand. I can definitely see the advantage of the bucket method. I'll try that in the near future.
I'm sorry this post is vague. Tell me what info you need and I'll do my best to answer.
This is where I am at now...
I started the engine. The temp ran up to 170 at idle. I reeved up the engine a little and temp went to 180. All the while, I am getting splashes of water out the exhaust rather than a constant stream of water. Not exactly normal right?
I'm planning on trying it out on the lake tomorrow and see what happens.

teelta wrote: I cleaned up the mating surfaces...first with a putty knife, then with a wire brush.

A wire brush is great for cleaning parts in general but not so much for mating faces. They want to stay dead flat. <--for next time   

teelta wrote: All the while, I am getting splashes of water out the exhaust rather than a constant stream of water. Not exactly normal right?

That is normal. Water accumulates in the fiberglass mufflers and 'spits' out.

I think you still have something to run down. Have you checked inside the tranny cooler?