Fake-A-Lake Water Supply Analysis

[thatsmrmastercraft]

Anyone smarter than me care to determine if the 3/8" hole in the Fake-A-Lake can actually supply enough water for our engines. While I initially used one, I switched over to the bucket method.

[epnault]

I sure didn't think so when I bought one last year and returned it. I am going to make one like others have posted out of a large bucket.

[Footin]

I have one, use it every year for the last 20 years, no problem here.

[Jorski]

Jimn should be around soon to explain why this isn't the best option

[MattsCraft]

I made one out of a standard plunger, worked fine for the amount of time you run the boat to change the oil etc. Worked fair for running antifreeze, leaks a lot! Others don't like it but I am a huge fan of the Perko Flush Kit, used it for 2 years now, no issue. Ran the boat for a good long time this spring and the water temp never got much above 160 even at 1500 RPMs and a few throttle pumps to 4000 RPM's!

[milkmania]

I keep telling my girlfriend it's not the size of the hose that matters, it's the amount of pressure behind that hose

[MattsCraft]

Originally Posted by milkmania

I keep telling my girlfriend it's not the size of the hose that matters, it's the amount of pressure behind that hose

Now that's funny right there

[Thrall]

Originally Posted by Jorski

Jimn should be around soon to explain why this isn't the best option

Oh boy!
Short story, our water pumps will pull more water than a fake a lake or typical pressure garden hose can supply.
Short answer, like Footin said, it isn't going to hurt anything.

[1redTA]

I don't see why not? even if a 3/4" hose delivers 10gpm, the water temp is low. The water isn't having to be cooled after absorbing heat from the engine. The water is there to cool, not lubricate that is the oil's job and we are only running the boat long enough to make sure it runs after storage, repairs or to get the oil up to temp when changing it

While I believe the bucket method to be safer incase someone trips over the hose to the fake-a-lake, I haven't heard anyone post that the hose isn't enough to keep the bucket filled at idle.

I do know that the CSR electric water pump on my LT1 car was rated to flow 35 gpm, I don't know if it was rated at free flow or rated for a pressurized close cooling system It was capable of keeping the car cool in the south with the AC on or running down the track. it was not enough for road racing

[thatsmrmastercraft]

Originally Posted by 1redTA

I don't see why not? even if a 3/4" hose delivers 10gpm, the water temp is low. The water isn't having to be cooled after absorbing heat from the engine. The water is there to cool, not lubricate that is the oil's job and we are only running the boat long enough to make sure it runs after storage, repairs or to get the oil up to temp when changing it

While I believe the bucket method to be safer incase someone trips over the hose to the fake-a-lake, I haven't heard anyone post that the hose isn't enough to keep the bucket filled at idle.

I do know that the CSR electric water pump on my LT1 car was rated to flow 35 gpm, I don't know if it was rated at free flow or rated for a pressurized close cooling system It was capable of keeping the car cool in the south with the AC on or running down the track. it was not enough for road racing

My garden hose will not quite keep up with the demands of water from the engine while using the bucket method. I plan to use two hoses to supply my 5 gallon pail to see how that works. Should be way more than enough.