Notices

Good Head

Old 06-18-2004, 11:54 AM
  #1  
Toxic FORMULA
Platinum Member
Thread Starter
 
mopower's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: pitman nj
Posts: 4,238
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Good Head

Now that I have your attention here's my question.

I got a dynamite deal on two pair of Canfield large oval port raised runner aluminum heads(brand new).Somebody out there makes and aluminum "marine" head with some type of coating to help resist corrosion.
Question is , who or what is the coating and can I do it or get it done somewhere???
I'm rarely in salt and when I am I always floss...I mean flush .My aluminum intakes have been powdercoated...including the water passages but I really don't think that would be practical because of heat tranfer or even possible due to the intricity of the waterjacket.
Having seen first hand what salt can do to aluminum , I really don't want to leave them naked

Last edited by mopower; 06-18-2004 at 01:12 PM.
mopower is offline  
Old 06-18-2004, 12:37 PM
  #2  
cstraub69@comcast
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Re: Good Head

Canfield and Edelbrock have them hard anodized. You are looking around $300 a set.

Chris
 
Old 06-18-2004, 09:47 PM
  #3  
Banned
 
cuda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Deland, Florida
Posts: 25,191
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Good Head

A marine mechanic I know around here said he had aluminum heads on his boat, ran in salt for either 8 or 9 years, then sold them. I reckon they will last.
cuda is offline  
Old 06-18-2004, 10:33 PM
  #4  
Registered
 
robyw1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 2,759
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Re: Good Head

Didn't MerCruiser make a block that was Aluminum in the mid 80s? I think it was called the 470 and it was a 180-HP 3.7 liter 4-cyl. Now if memory serves me correctly (and it doesn't always) I believe they had closed cooling systems but some may not have. I wonder if anything special was done to this block to resist corrosion? I think I recall that on this engine the block was aluminum and the head was iron.

Roby
robyw1 is offline  
Old 06-20-2004, 09:45 AM
  #5  
Registered
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Honeoye, NY
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Good Head

Those MerCrusier 470's and 490's were all supplied with a closed cooling system. No seawater to the Au. And most all manufacturers of marine aluminum heads offer them with a hard anodize option for saltwater. Don't know about getting them anodized after the fact though. Let us know if you find out if someone does it. Thanks! --- jp
jpclear is offline  
Old 06-20-2004, 10:22 AM
  #6  
Toxic FORMULA
Platinum Member
Thread Starter
 
mopower's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: pitman nj
Posts: 4,238
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Re: Good Head

Yes , I'll keep up my search locally first , then go national if necessary
I would feel better with some type of protection although in my situation it probably isn't imperative.
mopower is offline  
Old 06-20-2004, 08:16 PM
  #7  
VIP Member
VIP Member
 
Pat McPherson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Ivoryton, CT
Posts: 5,246
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default Re: Good Head

I have no experience with aluminum heads on a marine engine, however I would like to throw one other thought/concern out there...
Aluminum and cast iron expand and contract at vary different rates. Raw water cooled engines temperatures vary tremendously while running. I would think that the extra $600-$800 for a closed cooling system would be well worth it. Maintaining a more constant temperature could save head gaskets.
__________________
Patrick
Pat McPherson is offline  
Old 06-20-2004, 08:54 PM
  #8  
Registered
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Honeoye, NY
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Good Head

That's a good thought Pat, but the alum. head sits on the iron block square. (90 deg. cuts on both) The major problem with the different expansion characteristics of the dissimilar materials is where the intake manifold joins the head. If you have a cast iron intake, and a cast iron head, and cast iron block, all is fine. But most performance intake manifolds are aluminun and the surfaces join the head at an angle that requires some sliding at the joint with expansion. (NOT 90 deg.) So things will all stay sealed better if the head is the same material (and expansion rate) as the intake manifold. --- jp
jpclear is offline  
Old 06-21-2004, 06:00 PM
  #9  
Toxic FORMULA
Platinum Member
Thread Starter
 
mopower's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: pitman nj
Posts: 4,238
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Re: Good Head

jpclear,
Though a connection of mine I found I can get my heads done for $100 each.
I guess it's worth if for the peice of mind
mopower is offline  
Old 06-21-2004, 07:29 PM
  #10  
Registered
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Honeoye, NY
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: Good Head

MOP; thanks for that reply. If I have to tear-down or plan a saltwater trip I'll be in touch for the contact! I could have gotten my Canfield's done for $300 at time of purchase but they recommended that I save the money unless I was running salt, cause should the head need repair, anodize makes them a bugger to weld properly --- jp
jpclear is offline  

Quick Reply: Good Head


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.