Location: Minneapolis, MN | I've had three opti's, one small block and two big blocks. Until you have one and watch a smart craft gauge as the engine warms up in very cold water, you cannot begin to understand how long it can take to warm up. There are many variables including, how long have you been fishing since you last made a run, how much throttle are you giving it as you are warming it up, how cold is the water, etc. Many, maybe even most, of the early big block Opti's popped because of cold seizure in cylinder #6. It is my understanding #6 is one of the last to warm up. Many of the early Opti's never got the SmartCraft gauge installed. I would not recommend running an Opti without first installing a SmartCraft gauge so you can monitor accurate internal engine temperature. I believe the newer thermostats open at 122 degrees. I don't ever throttle up on plane until it has been above 122 degrees for several minutes to ensure the entire block is warm. |
