aluminum heads SBC
 

Guys, what is the verdict of running aluminum heads on a SBC in freshwater only? Using the search function it looks like people got mixed opinions....Thank you..

Why would it be an issue if set up properly

Looking at a few threads with guys saying they ran them on Lake Huron and Lake Michigan and they only last a few years before they get eaten up with corrosion...

I put aluminum heads on ALOT of engines that are ran in the great lakes, yes you will get SOME corrosion, no, they wont "rot out in a few years". IF there allowed to leak, they will rot out, like on the intake crossover. Ive pulled heads off fresh water engines that were used in Michigan lakes for 5 years including my own, showed some minor corrosion around water openings on head gaskets, did a slight cut then ran them another 5 years fwiw, Smitty

Mine are 20yrs old. BrodixIK180.
I’m on freshwater lake in NH.
1: I winterize with real coolant and drain back in spring in to bucketscresponsibily. Boats being stored for longervthan not, can and will see lots of corrosion stored. RV antifreeze doesn’t prevent corrosion - i see this 1st hand. Who cares what the label says otherwise.

2) i don’t leave it at my dock. It goes back on a trailer. There is always someone charging there batteries there, i don’t want my boat anywhere near those charging.

3) I had my intake hard anodized when new since i’ve seen sevral alum intakes corrode badly at pad for t-stat housing.

#I’m not sure how effective 2 and 3 is but I know #1 is a biggie.

Oh, since lots of domestic and wild animals on/nearvmy property i use low tox Sierra green antifreeze in case i spill some on ground.
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Thank you for the replies and tips...I found this place that sells magnesium anodes and that should ease my concerns..
boatzincs.com

you must live on a wild life preserve! On a different note, these other 6 tbi injectirs I'm flowing, cleaning for you are a hot mess. I'll touch bases w you on it on phone, smitty

I only run aluminum heads on my boats with bbc or sbc, I do occasionally run in salt water so I have closed cooling and run green antifreeze in my engine, I much prefer that. They are not hard to install.

I agree...they don't take up much room, and if you get a large enough heat exchanger, you can cool your exhaust manifolds as well.

Not all fresh water is the same, and also mentioned was the stray electric energy in marinas that can eat r
aluminum parts in very short order.