Do I need anode(s)??? Outdrive painted?

[tmh]

I read a lot in here about zinc anodes for corrosion protection and I'm wondering if I need this. I have a Mercruiser alpha one I/O and will be using it in fresh water only (NY Finger Lakes mostly). It WILL be in a slip most of this summer. So, do I need an anode or not? If so what and where do they attach? (I may HAVE one for all I know).

Also, my outdrive paint is mostly gone. It looks mostly grey (was black) now. Is paint needed for protection or just for looks? Again, fresh water only. Would I use anti-fouling paint on the outdrive?

Thanks.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Do I need anode(s)??? Outdrive painted?

Even in freshwater anodes are needed, Not real familiar with your drive but there should be at least a couple of them.Probably painted over before.The drive should be cleaned,sanded and painted then new zincs installed.Even freshwater will eat away at the drive case.
I'm sure someone will chime in about the anode location.
Just a good coat of black spray paint will help..

 

[Bondo]

Re: Do I need anode(s)??? Outdrive painted?

You Should have 3 Anodes,....

The Torque Tab, hanging above the Prop is 1,.....
And,....
There's the 2 Acorns mounted to the 2 Bottom Bolts that hold the Outdrive to the Boat...........

As far as Paint,....... I shoot mine with Rustolium Black a couple times a year,......It offers Good Protection,........
And,........
It makes it Look Good from afar,... But Far from Good, up close......

 

[stevieray]

Re: Do I need anode(s)??? Outdrive painted?

tmh - unless you plan on doing a lot of in-water cleaning, I would recommend anti-foulant paint. You will get a lot of slimy build-up on regular paint. It can be scrubbed off pretty easily, but you have to do it mostly by feel underwater unless you can regularly pull it out. Also, get a Merc anode kit (aluminum anodes for fresh water) - it will have all the parts you need in it & they will be the right alloy. If you buy them aftermarket individually, you may miss a piece & they may be questionable material. Bond-o even forgot about the one under the trim hose connector plate on the transom. What year is it, BTW?

 

[tmh]

Re: Do I need anode(s)??? Outdrive painted?

OK, thanks. I checked and i have the three bondo pointed out, but the forth one Stevieray said was "under the trim hose connector plate on the transom" I can't locate that one yet - any more info on where to look? It's a 1985 engine,btw. makes it a gen "1", correct?

The anodes look fine, should I wire brush them to expose some fresh metal?

Is the Rustoleum Black a primer or finish coat or "all-in-one"?

When painting outdrive do I just spray it all or do i need to tape over a bunch of "stuff" that I shouldn't be painting? What about nuts and bolts?

Thanks.

 

[jedimaster]

Re: Do I need anode(s)??? Outdrive painted?

I wouldn't worry too much about the nuts and bolts, the paint will flake off pretty easy unless you sand it and prime it properly.
If you just covering up don't paint the labels or the screw to fill and drain the outrive oil. may want to avoid spraying inside the water pump intake

 

[stevieray]

Re: Do I need anode(s)??? Outdrive painted?

Here's the link to the manual - should show all the anodes in the Section 7.
I would advise to get the anode kit with all the right parts in it just so you know you have everything required.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Do I need anode(s)??? Outdrive painted?

You definitely don't want to paint over the anodes. And hitting them with a wire brush is a good idea. The fourth anode is the finned looking block up against the transom all the way under the outdrive where the metal braid hoses connect from the trim cylinders.

--
Stan

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Do I need anode(s)??? Outdrive painted?

Older models do not have the fourth anode......​

 

[stevieray]

Re: Do I need anode(s)??? Outdrive painted?

Older models do not have the fourth anode......​

Haut - '85 was on the cusp - could be MR, could be Alpha One. Since he said Alpha, I kinda assumed....

 

[tmh]

Re: Do I need anode(s)??? Outdrive painted?

Thanks guys.

Regarding outdrive paint, anyone know of one I can brush on rather than spray? I'll have to do it outside and I'd rather not have all the overspray, especially if a bit windy. Primer also?

 

[stevieray]

Re: Do I need anode(s)??? Outdrive painted?

tmh - use zinc chromate primer - it's the only thing that will chemically bond to any bare aluminum that you might have. You can get that in spray bombs (or quart can from an auto supplier - but it is still spray formulation). I've never seen the outdrive antifoulant in anything other than spray bombs - DON'T use regular bottom paint.

 

[sabastianunf]

Re: Do I need anode(s)??? Outdrive painted?

I know rustolium makes 1 quart cans of paint that can be brushed on - Usually home depot or lowes will have it - but I would think that spraying would get you the best finish. It is oil based so if you properly prime the bare metal then it should bond very well.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Do I need anode(s)??? Outdrive painted?

I Think you'll find that 4th anode came into being with the Alpha Gen.IIs........
I Think that was 1991.......

 

[stevieray]

Re: Do I need anode(s)??? Outdrive painted?

I Think you'll find that 4th anode came into being with the Alpha Gen.IIs........
I Think that was 1991.......

Bond-o, mine's an '88 Gen 1 & it has that 4th anode. I think it was when it went from MR to Alpha One that it was added. I know some '85 boats that have Alpha One - guess they sold as many old ones as they had before they started using the new ones. Serial number is probably the only sure way to find out.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Do I need anode(s)??? Outdrive painted?

You're Probably Right,.......

It's Almost a Non-issue up here,...... Mine still look Brand New, after 8 years,+ about 700+hrs.......

I personally Never laid eyes on the 4th 1, til it was on a Gen.II............

 

[stevieray]

Re: Do I need anode(s)??? Outdrive painted?

You gotta get yourself into some nice polluted, brackish water - like the Chesapeake!

I have to change mine every year - it's in from May 'til end of Oct.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Do I need anode(s)??? Outdrive painted?

Over in the Trailer forum, there's a thread about a Trailer I just threw together,......
The boat on it(see the pics) sits in the Sweetwater Sea, from May to November..........
And,..... No,.... I waste Little or No Time Cleaning a boat,.....
It hasn't been Touched....

When I hauled it,....
The Sunny side of the hull had a Slight green tinge to it,.......
Not even any Fur.......

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Do I need anode(s)??? Outdrive painted?

Stick a stainless prop on an alpha and you'll see how quick those anodes deteriorate. I never had a problem with them, either- with the alum. prop. Popped for a stainless and anodes now wear out. Granted my boat sits on a trailer, but the anodes have to be replaced every other year.
Second note: my brother in law has an 83 Nova with twin 260's with alpha outdrives- original equipment as far as we know. So they were using alphas back to at least '83 and his has the 4th anode on both drives. By the way, I also stick a pair of anodes on my trim cylinder arms just to be safe. Yes, because of the Chesapeake.

--
Stan

 

[Bondo]

Re: Do I need anode(s)??? Outdrive painted?

Well,...... It must be about Where you boat,......

My Torque-Shift is SSteel,.......