How to add a Shutoff Valve to your boat's cooling system

So I decided to install some cutoffs since I'll be keeping my boat in a fresh water wet slip this year. Since it was said we needed a 1/2" or 5/8" ball valve I purchased two 1/2" valves.

I decided to install them in the rear clean out transom area. After cutting the hose I realized 1/2" is way too small. I went searching everywhere and can't find 5/8" ball valves. I brought a piece of the cooling line and found that with a bit of pressure it would fit on 3/4" ball valve and purchased two.

Well... I tried for over an hour to get one installed. I was able to finally get one end on a hose and can't for the life of me get the other end on. Is this too large? Any tips? Should I order 5/8" valves?

I really wanted to get the boat into the marina this week so I'm hoping to figure out a solution tomorrow.

I put on 3/4". They worked, but were VERY tight. Wear gloves. 5/8" would probably be better, but I was not able to find them. I think I got brass 3/4" ones at Lowes....

Yeah, I picked up brass 3/4" valves from lowes as well. And even though I've never been in salt I'm wondering if I'll have corrosion issues.

I got frustrated tonight so I'm gonna give it another shot tomorrow. I wish I knew where I could find some 5/8" valves locally!

You could piece thing together to get to 5/8" barbs. Buy a 3/4" ball valve with 3/4" female threads on both sides and buy 2 per valve 3/4" male pipe to 5/8" barb fittings.

I looked at both Home Depot and Lowes and couldn't find 3/4" to 5/8".

Yep, I did the same. Couldn't find any 5/8 stocked locally at all. So I tried the 3/4. Trust me, having gotten them on, I certainly ain't gonna take them off to replace them...

Skysurfer2010 said:

I looked at both Home Depot and Lowes and couldn't find 3/4" to 5/8".

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Bummer, Lowe's shows them online at the store near me but that doesn't do you any good.

Can you post a link to them? I should be able to change the store location. I can't seem to even find them online.

I should pay more attention to what I'm reading, it was 5/8" male pipe to 3/4" barb, SORRY. http://www.lowes.com/pd_82550-104-LFA495___?productId=3135357&pl=1&Ntt=5/8+barb

Crazy thing is they carry 5/8" x 5/8" barb connector, http://www.lowes.com/pd_81407-104-LFA-490___?productId=50053563&pl=1&Ntt=5/8+barb

This is so frustrating lol The worst part is that I've already cut into the line so until this is fixed I'm boatless!

Try your local plumbing supply warehouse.

Maybe your Lowe's / Home Depot has the 5/8 x 5/8 barb so you can put it back together until you get what you want.

Amazon has the 3/4" male pipe to 5/8" barb, http://www.amazon.com/Anderson-Metals-Compression-Fitting-Connector/dp/B0070TU0Z4

I'll start calling plumbing supply stores tomorrow. Thanks for the tips guys.

Had good luck in past with these type of things at McMaster Carr. www.mcmaster.com
Sorry, too wiped out to look it up right now, but thought I'd throw this out for your consideration.
Also worth a look are grainger.com and mscdirect.com

Spent the morning calling 8 different plumbing supply stores. Nobody sells 5/8" ball valves or the 3/4" to 5/8" barbs. One place even went as far to argue with me saying that size doesn't exist. Frustrated! I guess I have to try and make the 3/4" fit.

Project finished. My hands and arms are all cut up and my parents neighbors' kids learned a few new words today!! Man was that more of a pain then expected but I'm glad it's done.

For anyone doing this install, 3/4" ball valves are a huge PITA. I almost drove up to island racing to buy the 5/8" he sells. Anyone interested in doing this get the right size!!

I found that the pex fittings fit the yamaha hoses nicely. While not truly for rubber type hose they fit and work. 3/4 thread to 5/8 pex was very common. Cam.

I did say to wear gloves...

Congratulations on getting them in. All projects from here on out are easy.

Skysurfer2010 said:

Project finished. My hands and arms are all cut up and my parents neighbors' kids learned a few new words today!! Man was that more of a pain then expected but I'm glad it's done.

For anyone doing this install, 3/4" ball valves are a huge PITA. I almost drove up to island racing to buy the 5/8" he sells. Anyone interested in doing this get the right size!!

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I'm pleased you finished the job successfully, It appears the later Boats seem to be a problem, I have watched your progress as i did mine a few months ago but used plastic ball valves with nylon anti acid internals from local DIY because i use the boat in salt water and i didn't want any kind of metal parts inside the valve, Everything has worked wonderfully and no problems on the install quite an easy job but mines an 06 model so maybe more accessible, You can give yourself a pat on the back now and look for the next job on the Boat.

I finally finished mine last night. I used 3/4" 316 stainless ball valves that I got from Ebay. I realized that the barb ends I bought from there are 304 stainless, and are not meant for saltwater use. I'm not sure if they would hold up or not, so I bought 3/4" thread, gray plastic 1/4" barb ends from my local hardware stores (both had them). Note, you don't have to use 3/4" barb ends on the 3/4" valves as long as you find the correct reducing adapters! I have the valves zip-tied so they're not moving around, so I'm not too worried about the plastic breaking. The 1/4" barbs were TIGHT TIGHT TIGHT!!! I used dish soap to try to lube them up but they were still a big pain to get on the whole way. I used 5/8" ID heater hose for the extra length; I put them under the cleanout tray. One other thing you'll need if you put them there and add hose length is some 1" plastic wire loom to protect the hose as it goes through the hole in the bilge area to the engine area. None of the auto supply places had it near me, nor did Tractor Supply... I was able to find some at Lowe's. 5' was more than enough.

I went back and forth between putting the valves in the engine compartment vs under the cleanout tray. I went with the cleanout tray, because I can access them easily without having to have the bimini top up so that I can get into the engine compartment.