Intake Manifold question
 

2 questions, related. Replacing 1990 454 Magnums with brand new 502's. Looking for advice on using an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold on the 502's, or should use a spacer and the intakes from my 454's?

Boat will be used in the Chesapeake, mix of salt and fresh. Is there a difference in intakes made for marine environment, or can we treat a standard intake with a self etching primer and paint?

Marine aluminum intakes have bronze inserts cast into the water passages to prevent severe corrosion.If you choose to run a closed cooling system,it won't matter.

Heres an idea for you! I got new Team G intakes for my 540's and had them powder coated outside AND the water passage:cool:
Now they match some of the upholstery and trim on my boat:D

But will the powerdercoat hold up to the heat? What about a self etching primer and 2 coats of paint on the passages?

You could try what I did paint the back that are not used and go to home depot and get some epoxy sold it two pint cans (I used my West System though as I can control cure time better) tape off all but one port. pour in half a cup of mix tape it off and use it like a slushing compound.twist and turn for maybe 10 min. untape one port and pour out mix and clean out any threads or area that need to be clean with acetone.If it does not look thick enough wait till epoxey is at 90% cure (finger nail will just leave a dent) and repeat to build it up .you should be able to get 4 batches out of 2 pints and that would be pretty thick.Just a thought :cool:

use any alum intake you like and have it hard anodized

Keith,
The powder coat should hold up in a boat. I wouldn't try it in a car or truck as the underhood temps are much higher. I have Imco Power Flow exhausts that are on their fourth season and the powder on them is like new:D . Generally you can easily touch the intake and valve covers without much pain:eek: even after a long run. If you overheated something you could have a problem. I also got my B&B polished aluminum valve covers clear powder coated, The intakes and 'stat housings are magenta:cool: