Aluminum heads
#1
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Aluminum heads
I have a 302 V8 single engine in a boat primarily used in salt water.
I'm pulling the motor and plan to do a few upgrades to try to get some more HP out of her.
I currently have GT40 Iron heads. almost all of the aftermarket heads are aluminum.
How do aluminum heads get along with saltwater?
Is it a complete pain, or not a big deal?
I'm pulling the motor and plan to do a few upgrades to try to get some more HP out of her.
I currently have GT40 Iron heads. almost all of the aftermarket heads are aluminum.
How do aluminum heads get along with saltwater?
Is it a complete pain, or not a big deal?
#2
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they dont.. either add closed cooling, or stick with iron. You have 2 things working against you, dissimilar metals, and salt water.. the perfect storm.
i just went through this, and have spoke with others who went through the same
i just went through this, and have spoke with others who went through the same
#4
MarineKinetics
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ken2,
Certain vendors will provide a hard anodized coating of cylinder heads and intake manifolds that mitigates the effects of corrosion. We currently have 75 + sets in the field, some of which have been in service in excess of 5 years. None of these heads have been removed from service, or shown any adverse reaction to salt/brackish water conditions.
Bob
Certain vendors will provide a hard anodized coating of cylinder heads and intake manifolds that mitigates the effects of corrosion. We currently have 75 + sets in the field, some of which have been in service in excess of 5 years. None of these heads have been removed from service, or shown any adverse reaction to salt/brackish water conditions.
Bob
#6
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ken2,
Certain vendors will provide a hard anodized coating of cylinder heads and intake manifolds that mitigates the effects of corrosion. We currently have 75 + sets in the field, some of which have been in service in excess of 5 years. None of these heads have been removed from service, or shown any adverse reaction to salt/brackish water conditions.
Bob
Certain vendors will provide a hard anodized coating of cylinder heads and intake manifolds that mitigates the effects of corrosion. We currently have 75 + sets in the field, some of which have been in service in excess of 5 years. None of these heads have been removed from service, or shown any adverse reaction to salt/brackish water conditions.
Bob
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The one's I've used were hard anodized and then machined. Because they are submerged in fluid for the anodizing process every orifice is anodized. Even without anodizing just taking five minutes to flush your engine every time you come out of the salt will keep everything in good shape.
#8
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I also drain them right after.
Those blue o-ringed plastic drains from Mercruiser are wonderful. Just keep a few backups in case you decided to break one off. LOL.
Those blue o-ringed plastic drains from Mercruiser are wonderful. Just keep a few backups in case you decided to break one off. LOL.
#9
MarineKinetics
Platinum Member
Yes, all of our heads are available hard anodized. The BBC heads are stocked, the SBC/SBF heads will require ~1week additional lead time.
Bob