Yes it is that simple. But I would add a bit of complexity to it. Remove it and give it a good cleaning. Take off both end caps, on the input end you are looking for broken impeller bits, on the output end pencil zinc remnants. Use some wire to rod out the cooling tubes or take it to a radiator shop and have them clean it for you. Gaskets and orings can be purchased from "Sendure" or you can make your own and get o rings at a hardware store. Renew the pencil zinc, good to install before the end cap so you can see what is going on, some need to be trimmed for proper clearance. You will also loose some antifreeze coolant mixture, so you will need to renew that.

Ken, I am fairly sure that just removing the end caps and the zinc shouldn't breach the closed coolant system...only the raw water portion of the HX is accessed; so no antifreeze should be lost.

Larry, I think Ken was referring to the removal of the HX, and not just the end caps, in which case he'd lose some antifreeze from the hose disconnection.

You may be right, Stu. Perhaps I misinterpreted the situation. Removal of the HX would entail some loss of coolant because of two hose connections that must be undone. The other two hoses are raw water and, of course, don't breach the coolant system.

Opening the end caps and changing a zinc do not breach the coolant system.

Welcome to the forum, Kerry. I think you are in for a rougher ride than me the next couple of weeks. I am off to Borneo where a mate currently has his Buizen 48. Pretty light winds there at the moment.

I wish you favourable conditions for Bass Strait. Your 36 will get you there safely, if you treat her with a bit of respect.

I am sure the forum would love to hear of your adventure once safely in Tasmania.

Kerry...

If your pulling the H/E, check to see if the barackets that hold it in place are similar to pipe hangers that go all the way around the H/E or are half brackets that are welded (I know thats not the correct term for bronze) to the exchanger with one tab each for bolting them into place.

If the latter, they have been know to break away due to vibration. I had this happen and the exchanger rubbed against something and actually sanded a crack into the exchanger itself (discovered half way Woods Hole as steam started coming up thru the cabin ). The new exchangers have the brackets that are loose fitted all the way around the exchanger with both ends of the two brackets bolted into the engine.

Your boat is a few years newer than mine so you may have the newer set-up.