Dry joint exhaust pros/cons

[crazy charlie]

Need to replace one of my 1988 5.0XL alpha motors.Found a complete drop in 5.0 bravo with dry joint exhaust approx 15 years newer at a very reputable boat yard.They said they are gonna pull the old motor and modify this one to accept an alpha to match what I have.I am a little leary of this exhaust system set up as I know nothing about it.Boat yard said dry joint is a superior updated version compared to my very simple center rise setup which I am very comfortable with since I have had it for the past 30 + years.Is there anything I should be concerned with re dry joint exhaust??? Is it really much better?? Charlie

 

[achris]

... I am a little leary of this exhaust system set up as I know nothing about it.Boat yard said dry joint is a superior updated version compared to my very simple center rise setup which I am very comfortable with since I have had it for the past 30 + years.Is there anything I should be concerned with re dry joint exhaust??? Is it really much better?? Charlie

Dry joint is almost identical to your current 'wet-joint' system, just the water doesn't flow through the gasket between the manifold and elbow, it flows through externally cast passages, eliminating the effect of the water rotting out the gasket surface metal. It is a superior system, and you should get it...

 

[crazy charlie]

Thanks ,that is reassuring info.

 

[Lou C]

Agreed if I could adapt it to my OMC rigged 4.3 for sure I’d use it. Definitely one of Mercs better ideas. You still have to replace the elbows and maybe the manifolds after 7 or so seasons in our LI salt water but that whole time you don’t have to worry about that gasket between the manifold & elbow leaking.