salt water in single cylinder

[Lou C]

It’s because the engine companies look to save money any way they can & much of the USA is freshwater so it’s not a drawback. A closed system now a days adds over 2 grand USD to repower cost.
If I repowered with a reman 4.3 sure I’d add it. But it is close to 2 grand!

 

[Mc Tool]

It’s because the engine companies look to save money any way they can & much of the USA is freshwater so it’s not a drawback. A closed system now a days adds over 2 grand USD to repower cost.
If I repowered with a reman 4.3 sure I’d add it. But it is close to 2 grand!

I guess it makes sense to wait for a re-power and do the job . These new automotive electric water pumps would make life easier in that you dont need to locate any extra pumps near an existing pulley system .
I can handle thinking about outboards in salt water coz they are sorta made for it but Id be leary of a cast block in even fresh water as I think that repeated wet / dry cycles or leaving it half full of water cant be good for them .... we all have seen the colour of straight water in a cast block ..... megga rusty .

 

[Lou C]

Cast iron components in most fresh water last indefinitely. You should see boats from the USA used only in fresh water regions. The engines look like new, same with outdrives. We in the salt, change our elbows/manifolds every 5-7 years, at least the elbows, in fresh water, some last indefinitely!
I don't think that outboards always have longer life in the salt. My 1988 original short block hasn't rotted through yet. Here you see Yamaha F-150s rotting through right by the 'stat housing and in the exhaust midsection, sometimes in less than 10 years. My engine gets filled with my own mix of Sierra PG antifreeze and water every fall. Not much flaking rust at all. Only parts like the elbows, and 'stat housing that aren't totally full of AF in the off season seem to have flaking rust. But yeah if I spend the cash for a nice reman 4.3 Vortec, no way am I running salt water through it.