Invertaflow muffler question

Bert said there was a drain hole that would allow the water to drain out after shutdown. He didn't say it was an external drain... I would assume it to be internal since that would allow draining to happen naturally after every shutdown.

Gary S wrote: Orlando76 wrote: I would think if it didn't hold water, then when you crank it on the trailer for a slight second it'd be louder until it filled up as the water does a good part of the muffling?? Mine is definitely louder when it first starts even at the dock. Here is the responce I recieved this morning--- Good morning Gary, You are correct, by design, we have always included a drain hole in the outlet pipe of the muffler in order to drain water when the engine shuts down. However, a very small amount of water will remain inside of the muffler. This small amount of water will not pose a problem if it were to freeze. If the muffler was full of water, then you would need to worry about getting antifreeze into the muffler. We also include drain screws in the mufflers to drain water as well. Let me know if you have any other questions. Regards, Bert Browning Centek Industries, Inc. Manager, Product Design & Engineering Mechanical Engineer Phone: 1-229-228-7653 Mobile: 1-229-224-5653 Fax: 1-229-228-1270 Email: browning@centekindustries.com SKYPE: bertbrowning

I don't have a drain hole on the outside and did not see evidence of one on the inside pipe when it was apart (I probably just missed it; now it is surely glassed over)

I would think if it didn't hold water, then when you crank it on the trailer for a slight second it'd be louder until it filled up as the water does a good part of the muffling??

JoeinNY wrote: I cant imagine it doesnt hold a bit of water but it would have plenty of room to expand and gives a bit more than cast. When is the last time you saw water in an open plastic bucket cause a problem when it froze?

Good analogy Joe but the only way I can test right now is to put some water in an ice cube tray

I cant imagine it doesnt hold a bit of water but it would have plenty of room to expand and gives a bit more than cast. When is the last time you saw water in an open plastic bucket cause a problem when it froze?

I just emailed Centex about the Invertaflo holding water,will let everyone know what they say.

Thanks Pete. I guess I'll find out soon enough. just need to grind down some rough spots and paint her up.

I got the spillway pipe glued back in and I've used about 2-3 layers of 6oz mat to seal up the sides. Is this enough glass or do I need to put down more. Seems pretty solid to me, but I have no idea how much pressure is in the muffler while the motor is running.

Freezing was never an issue as this boat was in central Florida it's entire life.

Thanks again for all the help. Much appreciated.

JPASS wrote: My understanding of how this works is this: That floating pipe actually acts like an elevated spillway in that the exhaust doesn't start dumping water until the height of the water in the muffler reaches the top of the loose pipe. Then the water will then flow out the exhaust.

I think that is exactly how it works.

JPASS wrote: I'm assuming this also helps to create a certain amount of back pressure? Would not having this spillway effect anything in regards to the way the motor runs or performs? Wonder if it lead to any of the leaks due to an improper water level in the exhaust?

Probably.

Not sure.

I think the leaks occur as the thing falls apart. It is mostly full of water all the time. Maybe freezing in the winter time leads to cracks, leaks and the small pipe coming unglued? Unless you run antifreeze through until it comes out the exhaust, the water left in would freeze.

My understanding of how this works is this:

That floating pipe actually acts like an elevated spillway in that the exhaust doesn't start dumping water until the height of the water in the muffler reaches the top of the loose pipe. Then the water will then flow out the exhaust.

I'm assuming this also helps to create a certain amount of back pressure? Would not having this spillway effect anything in regards to the way the motor runs or performs? Wonder if it lead to any of the leaks due to an improper water level in the exhaust?

Or maybe it's just too early and I'm talking outta my a$$

81nautique wrote: You have your engineering blinders on again. I'm just saying how many 1000's of these things did CC put in their boats in the 90's? Of course there are going to be some failures but when the majority are still in service after 20 years and 1000-2000 hours of use that doesn't seem to deserve the "pathetic" grade. YES anything can be scrutinized after 20 years of use and be redesigned to last longer/perform better but that doesn't make the first edition a failure.

Alan,
I stand corrected. It's easy to criticize when I see many failures without thinking the complete situation through and I apologize for that.

I didn't cut mine. The larger outside exhaust pipe is stuck in through a hole in the side of the main muffler, then glassed in. I worked my way around the glassed-in joint, delaminating the joint one layer at a time until the pipe was free. The problem I see with cutting it is that you would lose the extra length that projects into the muffler and allows connection to the smaller inner pipe and the glassed in joint to the muffler.

One caveat to replacing the muffler with an unknown model invertaflow, they can be slightly different in terms of connection spacing, pipe size and angle to manifold, as well as lateral position and angle of the down pipe. They are not universal (I have one donated to me that does not fit in my boat, which I am hoping to donate in turn to someone at a reunion one day).

The y pipe conversion is an option, but repairing the one you have is probably a whole lot less expensive, and as a bonus you get to figure how it is put together and how it works.

81nautique wrote: 8122pbrainard wrote: Considering how many people have problems with the Invertiflo's, I certainly can say their construction is pathetic. Geez Pete, there's always room for improvement but these things are about 20 years old. Not a terrible track record really.

Alan,
I was basing my comment on the construction and not the age. The thin walls and little or no reinforcement on corners or joints. The glass hulls are past 20 and they are still good.

BTW, I'm past 20 and slowing down but not falling apart!

8122pbrainard wrote: Considering how many people have problems with the Invertiflo's, I certainly can say their construction is pathetic.

Geez Pete, there's always room for improvement but these things are about 20 years old. Not a terrible track record really.