Heat Exchanger Zinc Length Issue

[Rob Schepis]

The later style Champ heat exchanger (offset inlet/outlet) appears to have a zinc length issue which is confirmed by some and negated by others.  Strange that the feedback differs but I can only speak to my findings.  My heat exchanger zinc DOES bottom out against the end casting.  I did not realize it on my first zinc change.  I do not go tight-tight on the zincs so no damage was done and it clearly had enough threads engaged to make a watertight seal.  Upon removal it was clear that the end of the zinc was bottomed out.  You can see the contact point on the zinc when it was removed 5 months later and the photo looking up the zinc port shows the inner casting that gets in the way.  Now I simply hacksaw ~1/2″ off the zinc.  And don’t be afraid to use Rectorseal on those zinc cap threads, it will NOT effect the electrical connectivity which you can verify with an ohmeter to “see” for yourself.  The Rectorseal does not prevent the metal to metal contact of the pipe threads it only fills the voids of imperfections…

Zinc that was bottomed out

Interfering casting viewed up through zinc port

Two heat exchanger zincs cut down

 

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[NoSpeed]

Rob, I was changing out all my zincs today.  All, except one, had more than 50% life.  But, I changed them anyway, thinking they would not go another season.  The one exception was on the oil cooler.  All that came out was the cap.  Do you know if the remnants of that zinc would cause me any issue?  Water temps are normal.  Thanks.

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