Heater Craft plumbing questions? 2002 Air Nautique SE

[dgfrinell]

Hello all,

I'm hoping I can get some advice on the proper (or best) way to plumb my new Heater Craft. Here are the basics.

- 2002 Air Nautique SE
- GT-40
- Heater Craft 200-Elite (with circulation pump)
- Heater core under helm behind kick-board
- Circulation pump under observer seat/location due to room availability.

I have the wiring figured out, but now I'm at the plumbing stage.

Pics below are for reference:
1- First pic is for general orientation of my engine and position
2- Second pic is the location (screw driver pointing) I understand to be where I'll pick-up the hot water off of the engine (intake manifold) and route to my heater core.

3- My current confusion is where do I attach the Return line coming from my Circulation Pump? (Please help and understand I am not very familiar with all the locations on this engine...still learning)

Thank you in advance for all of your assistance with this.

- Doug

[t.franscioni]

You can pull the hot source from the engine block drain on either side of the block. That would be easier imo than pulling it from the top location. You can return the heater hose to your main water intake hose, just install a tee. It will get mixed with the cold fresh water and not cause any issues. It’s only a fraction of the volume of incoming fresh water. My GT40 came from factory with a heater and this is how mine is hooked up.

[dgfrinell]

Thank you very much. Just wondering, is there a difference in temp between the top or bottom location? Or is it just easier to get to the lower location? In reference to the return line, is it better to bite the bullet and get the low idle "y" on Heater Craft? I ask since I'm not that great at locating these different compatible items online. Thanks again for all your assistance.

- Doug

[t.franscioni]

Bottom is just easier to source from. Not sure what exact temp difference there is. It’s an iron block so temp should be pretty uniform, hotter than anyone could handle without having some cold water valve turned on also to cool the shower down.

That Y is way expensive at $64. It probably works better than a regular hardware store pvc Tee but a barbed tee will run $3-6. Mine is factory and came with a regular old hardware store barbed tee. Personally I wouldn’t spend $64 but totally up to you. Not denying the y works better at idle, it may I don’t really know.

[DW SD]

Find a Y cheaper at jaguarsthatrun.com
They have nice billet machined adapters.

I look there for Tees in hot rod plumbing projects.


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

[Quinner]

Wait a minute, are you confusing the heater with the hot water shower Fanscio?? The heater is going to want far more volume then a block drain plug can provide. On my Excal the heater taps from the intake manifold and the water pump (not impeller pump) and the hoses are closer to 5/8"id

[Quinner]

DW, could you link the Y fitting on that site, I could not find it lol. Been wanting to add one to mine and maybe it's time. Thanks