Is there a cure for Aluminum Head corrosion?
 

These are Edelbrock Marine heads. They are hard anodized coated but not on the inside. At the front of the motor there are no water passages into the block from the head,(why is this) so the it seems the water and whatever debris is in it just sits there and eats the aluminum.

Two seasons ago the heads were removed and this same situation was seen. So we filled it in by welding and had the heads milled. Now I have them off again. The rest of each head looks fine with no major signs of corrosion.

Is there any proven way to prevent this from happening again. What would happen if I just added(drilled) my own water passage to let the water flow into the block.

left head

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...a/DSCN1607.jpg

right head

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/u...a/DSCN1606.jpg

I know the Dart heads we have are hard anodized in the water jackets.

John jr

there is a cure. anti freeze!!! i don't know why people spend tens of thousands of dollars on these engines and don't run closed cooling...

AFR's are hard anodized on the inside of the water jackets and outiside of the head as well if you order them that way.

Were these run in salt water? If so, I am with derek - you need closed cooling.

If you can or wont go closed cooling add some zinc's to you water system as close as possible to where the dissimilar metals touch.
Steve

I see your future filled with iron heads :)...I try and avoid salt with my Al heads...appears you cannot. Mine are attacked where the SS head gasket ring, and Al meets the iron resulting in a "worm" hole and a wet cylinder.
Keep in mind each skim cut after repair is increasing your compression ratio...not sure drilling the block is a great idea with potential stress riser(s) leading to a crack?

Anyway you might slather the area(s) with "monkey snot" gascacinch http://www.gasgacinch.com/ after cleaning if you choose/need to reuse these- maybe you'll get an extra year ;). Seems like your $ toward a new head would be a better choice...
I used to coat the entire head and gasket and have pulled Al heads off after several years use and see the yellow coating still in place. I've since switched to the Cu spray adhesive..but don't frequent salt often..

good luck...Lane

How long were those on to get that? Also they do make flushing kits to help

John jr

what head gasket you using?

Felpro 17046 performance/marine