Engine Build for Fresh and Salt

[carrera205]

Building a 350 5.7 and want to put it in salt water from time to time but at the end of the day it'll always get trailered and flushed with fresh water. It's a raw water cooled system and I'm wondering what if any additional things I need to build into the motor.

The intake I put on there is an Edelbrock non-marine intake but now I'm wondering if I should pull it apart and get the marine intake (brass lined I guess) since i want to put it in the salt from time to time. Would a few hours in the salt even if flushed with fresh water at the end of the day really hurt anything?

 

[alldodge]

If your going to use in salt, install a full closed cooling system.

 

[carrera205]

AllDodge i would love to but damn they're expensive!

 

[GA_Boater]

Build it for salt and both waters are covered. So the Marine intake should go on. You need the right core plugs, too.

It isn't just the flushing. The salt water is cooling and the motor will be creating hot salt water which seems to be worse than cold salt water as far as erosion/corrosion. It all starts while using it in salt.

 

[alldodge]

Flushing is good, but will not get all the salt out. Unless the thermostat opens and stays open (it doesn't) some slat will always remain. Flushing is better then not, so replace stuff as GA mentioned

 

[Bondo]

The intake I put on there is an Edelbrock non-marine intake but now I'm wondering if I should pull it apart and get the marine intake (brass lined I guess) since i want to put it in the salt from time to time.

Ayuh,...... Either bronze lined, or a cast iron manifold,......

The aluminum manifold will cost you yer motor,.....