Aluminum Intake Manifold

[kwoolard]

I found a brand new Weiand X-CELerator intake manifold at an unbeatable price. However, this manifold is aluminum. Will this aluminum intake stand up to the harsh effects of salt water better than the cast iron manifold?

 

[bomar76]

Re: Aluminum Intake Manifold

No. It will not last as long as a cast iron item in salt water.<br />You need an internally coated manifold.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Aluminum Intake Manifold

Don't Even Think About It.......<br />You won't get a season out of it.........<br />Aluminum Marine Manifolds have Brass Inserts in the waterjacket......<br />Stick with Iron.......<br /><br />Besides......<br />An Open Plenum Manifold is about Useless on a Marine Engine..........<br />Unless you're turning a Jet, Stick with a Dual-Plane Manifold............

 

[kwoolard]

Re: Aluminum Intake Manifold

Thanks guys, I was about to start backing some bolts out..good thing I checked the forum out first! <br /><br />When you mentioned a coating in the manifold, are all marine manifolds internally coated?<br /><br />Also, on the coating subject. I removed my thermostat housing for cleaning and noticed that all of the water lines I removed as well as the housing were coated internally with some sort of read paint-like coating. Is this the type of coating you are referriing to? How do I re-coat the housing if it is needed? <br /><br />If not, what in the world is that red material?

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Aluminum Intake Manifold

I know I will catch hell but here goes. I have had a aluminum intake for years with no problems. On average I end up taking the motor apart about every 2 1/2 years for a refreshing or upgrades so I have checked it from time. The intake I use doesn't let water run through it (air gap design). As for the exterior before install I clear coat it. It never “powdered up” you know turned white and the inside looks like new.

 

[wheels4]

Re: Aluminum Intake Manifold

Ive had an edelbrock performer on mine for 2 years now still looks great.Not coated but I do have a closed cooling system.

 

[flashback]

Re: Aluminum Intake Manifold

I have one, I only run in fresh water, If i have a problem, I am not aware of it...........If i were in salt, I don't think i would want the aluminum............

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Aluminum Intake Manifold

I plan on running one with my 331 stroker rebuild. It will be used with a closed cooling system, however. I would definitely avoid using aluminum in saltwater. Ditto to what Bondo said re the Weiand X-CELerator.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Aluminum Intake Manifold

hello<br /> I have seen this tried. in fdact Iwrote upmany nasties on this boat. a 28 carolina classic. some "bubba" had installed an edlebrok intake and carb package from a catalog on bothe engines. first time Isaw it it was just a week from the shop where they had supposedly rebuilt the 7.4's. in the following month after about 40 hours the port intake manifold t-stat fell into the water system cause the ledge it sits on disapeared. by month 3 the port engine was a junker. non fixable and the stbd had water in it where the manifold was weeping water into the valve valley. the guy had tosue the people but all my paper worksoI tole ya was in order. if it is fresh water cooled you may use aluminium. if its salt water cooled the aluminium will disapear very rapidly.<br /> good luck and keep posting<br />PS by fresh water cooled it means it has a closed cooling system with a glycol or other ant-freeze/coolant in the engine. a half cooling system still has seawater in the exhaust manifolds and risers. a full cooling system only has seawater in the risers.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Aluminum Intake Manifold

Originally posted by kwoolard:<br />Also, on the coating subject. I removed my thermostat housing for cleaning and noticed that all of the water lines I removed as well as the housing were coated internally with some sort of read paint-like coating. Is this the type of coating you are referriing to? How do I re-coat the housing if it is needed? <br /><br />If not, what in the world is that red material?

kwoolard, I think this is what your manifold is coated with.<br /><br /> http://www.eastwoodco.com/email/default.asp?T1=46001ZP&SRCCODE=5KW27

 

[charleswmoore]

Re: Aluminum Intake Manifold

Well here we go. I ran an aluminum intake in the salty brine for qite a few years on my old boat. 350chevy. When i pulled it down it was lookig a little rough but still very do-able. Now to tell the whole truth I am religious in regards to flushing the motor after ever outing and also i added zinc inserts in the water jackets. These zincs went away very quickly, every three months <br />or at least beginning of season and once during the season. The person i sold boat to freshened up the motor and reused the same intake. I cautioned him in regards to zinc repacement<br />but i doupt he listened. My guess within one season of not being proactive he will have water in the cylinders and a hydralocked motor. I would not repeat this again just another piece of ongoing maintennace you have to do. Now if you<br />are a closed cooling system go for it.

 

[kwoolard]

Re: Aluminum Intake Manifold

Boomyal, <br /><br />That looks exactly like what is in the thermostat housing and in a couple of the water lines. However, what I can't figure out is how the coating was applied to the inner walls of the water line. Is this coating something that is pumped through the block? Would you recommend me reapplying this coating to the inside of my housing, since the acid I used to clean the parts dissolved everything? <br /><br />My thoughts are that it will eventually flake off, as it has done now and block off water passageways. A couple of my water lines I can squeeze and you can hear the coating cracking and flaking off inside.

 

[Darian F.]

Re: Aluminum Intake Manifold

Volvo Penta is using Aluminum heads on their <br />8.1liter engines ( sterndrive )<br /><br />I wonder if they no about corrision with the steel blocks Hmmmm?

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Aluminum Intake Manifold

Kwoolard, I am not sure how it is applied. It comes in both liquid and aerosol. You could probably pour some in and roll it around to coat then pour out the excess. I don't know what you are refering to when you mention flexible water lines. There would be no reason to coat non-metalic surfaces.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Aluminum Intake Manifold

hahaahah<br /> well if volvo doesnt they soon will. however so far they are not going to offer that engine with raw water cooling. and if they do it will keep shoes on my babies feets for many years. and its not just volvo. volvo and merc as well as marine power and a few others takes what GM has to offer. so far GM is the last supplier of marine engines to the US market. and the marine market is forced to buy what GM has to sell.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[akriverrat]

Re: Aluminum Intake Manifold

aluminum heads, intake, and exhaust on 10 year old 350 run primarily in salt without regular flushing and everything just fine. had it all apart this winter for problems unrelated to these parts. but it has a closed cooling system. raw water cooled it probably would not have lasted a season. if al is soooo bad how is it that ob's can last so long?