Raw water intake

[dognduck]

I have old gate valves for my raw water intakes. starboard side will not close. I know i need to replace both gate valves with ball valves. Any idea on how hard it is to remove (unscrew) the gate calves from the raw water scupper? any tricks?

[Bruce]

If you have scoops built into the pickup there should be screws into the bottom to hold it.
A pipe wrench on the valve should break it loose and unscrew.

If your scoops are separate, you'll have to get two pipe wrenches to get it off. One on thru hull, one on valve.

Being gate valves I doubt anyone ever used 5200 as a thread sealer. But I've seen it happen, in that case heat is used with care.

Removed hundreds of valves over my marine career, most with the right and good pipe wrench came off fairly easy.
A few did have to be cut apart.

[Marshall Mahoney]

Make sure you purchase full port ball valves -- most have reduced ports unless specified otherwise...

[Carl]

...and remember to open the valves ALL the way. A little closed can make your motor run warm...ask me how I know.