Trojan Boat Forum

I just acquired a 1974 F-32 with Crusader 454 engines. Having been a sailor for the last 17 years I am new to the bigger power boat scene. I grew up working on small and big block Chevy's so I'm familiar with the standard gas engine. What has me stumped at the moment is the cooling system. The PO stated that the port engine started overheating and started losing coolant. There was a leak on the port side of the engine from the manifold. I was looking at new kits but I can't find one that has the same components as mine. I may have a closed cooling system but not sure. I've attached a picture of the current system. If it is a closed system are the manifolds the same as a raw water cooled system just plumbed differently? Same with the exhaust outlets? Trying to get her ready for a 1000 mile trip to the Keys on her own bottom. I'm still poking around the forum and picking up a lot of good info.

You definitely have closed cooling -- the big blue tube at the left of your picture is the heat exchanger. All of the boats that I have worked on use the same manifolds for closed cooling, but sometimes with different fittings for the plumbing.

Crusader engines have been quite popular over the years. You should not have much trouble finding parts for them. Try Beacon at http://www.marineengineparts.com/exhaus ... style.html...

You might want to take a look at those three side by side clamps over a piece of split hose. Not sure what is going on there.

Thanks! Yep that hose looks sketchy, as well as some others that have cracks, etc. Thanks for the link, looks like they have what I need.

F-32 with a pair of big blocks (454) really?

I have seen other F-32's with big blocks, but they have been installed by owner. Did F-32's ever come with 454's from the factory?

A friends has a pair of 460 fords in his F-32. cruises nicely!

I'm not sure if they ever came with big blocks from the factory. This one was repowered by a PO. I still have a lot to learn about the Trojan line. This one in particular.

I must have posted the wrong link above -- the correct link for Beacon Marine's Crusader manifolds is https://www.trojanboats.net/zencart/ind ... 9a87402a61 and their prices are better anyway...

gitchisum wrote:I have seen other F-32's with big blocks, but they have been installed by owner. Did F-32's ever come with 454's from the factory?

A friends has a pair of 460 fords in his F-32. cruises nicely!

No, they did not come with big blocks. My brother's '77 has them in his 32.