If you were to pour water into the intake and into the exhaust and it got into the cylinders, How long would it take for rust to form in the engine, in the intake ports of the head, on the valley tray and around the lifters? How long for initial surface rust and then how long for 'alot' of rust?

This isnt a good question!!!!

not long at all.
i have a 454 mercruiser and had a pinhole leak in my watercooled exhaust manifold (cast iron jobs)
water got into the cylinders through the exhaust valves and turned the oil milky very quickly (approx 1/2 hour very rough running).
pulled the engine apart about a week later and found rust all over valve stems, all through the heads, cylinder walls, pushrods, conrods,crank, everywhere.
engine was virtually seized.
Also note a lesson learned...i had a pinhole leak in my other side manifold approx 2 weeks earlier but stupidly only replaced the one..seemed too expensive at the time but proved to be an even more expensive lesson.
also then had to replace risers as they started to fall apart..
now thinking i should have spent a little more and got a set of one piece stainless steel manifold and riser....
we live and learn..

.............and you ask this because?????????

It would only take a matter of a few hours..overnite it would rust easily.....now tell us why you ask?

I had an 502 mag. engine with about 30 hours on it, It sat for 2 years so I had it freshened with new bearings, rings, ARP head bolts and better head gaskets (costs $1700) with receipt. It was stored on a engine crate, never run, inside a storage container out of the weather. I sold the longblock and included all the accessories and manifolds. The mechanic bolted it all on for easy shipping and off it went. The buyer received it and opened the box and was satisfied and then 8 MONTHS later he was going to sell the long block and when he took off the intake there was rust on the valley pan and in the lifter area and when he pulled the heads there was rust in the cylinders. He accused me of selling him a rust bucket and wanted me to pay him $1750 (HALF THE PURCHASE PRICE) for repairs and when I refused he has now sued me for a $5200 rebuild (more then the sale price) plus costs and damages up to $20,000. The engine was sold as is, no guarentee or warranty inplied or expressed. That's the story.

Tell him to stick it up his arse!8 months?It is very common for those items to rust just from sitting if not coated with a type of cozmoline even from natural condensation but after 8 months and now trying to sue you!What a jack ass! TELL HIM THIS.TELL HIM THOSE PARTS ARE BETTER NOW BECAUSE THEY ARE CURED AND WILL NOT DEVELOPE ANY TYPE OF WARPING OR WEAKNESESS WHEN RUNNING