BBC aluminum heads

[69hondo]

General question without much info.

What are good BBC aluminum heads for boats? 600-800HP could be forced or N/A

 

[RaceTec]

Call AFR 877-892-8844 they will take care of ya!

 

[Shlbyntro]

none unless you have closed cooling

 

[Nanu/Nanu]

Hey Nick i have heard from other sources outside of @Shlbyntro the same thing. I know of a few that have done it and have regrets.

I believe ive read on their website that Dart doesn't recommend aluminum without closed cooling either.

 

[Gelcoater]

none unless you have closed cooling

Curious here, because of electrolysis?
Or the rate of heat dissipation difference between iron block and soft head?
Or something else?

 

[240Hallett]

none unless you have closed cooling

Does this apply for salt water and freshwater?

 

[Shlbyntro]

Curious here, because of electrolysis?
Or the rate of heat dissipation difference between iron block and soft head?
Or something else?

yes, electrolysis/corrosion. it will attack the softest metal which is your aluminum head. it will eat out the insides of the cooling jackets but is normally most prominent at the larger coolant ports on the bottom deck surface where the heads meet the block and for whatever reason, the rear most exhaust port surfaces. you can expect to start having issues in less than 200 hours if well cared for and only run in fresh water, much sooner if salt water or if the block is regularly allowed to drain.

outboards can do it because they are all aluminum and also many of the manufacturers place anodes inside the cooling jackets. (you still will see heavy corrosion around the fasteners tho) aluminum headed inboard engines are always closed cooling where the coolant will protect against corrosion

 

[Eliminator21vdrive]

Some aluminum heads are hard anodized to help the electrolysis.

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[RaceTec]

General question without much info.

What are good BBC aluminum heads for boats? 600-800HP could be forced or N/A

AFR offers anodized heads for marine applications... I believe all Teague engines use AFR heads...

 

[obnoxious001]

none unless you have closed cooling

That's not 100% true. I ran Dart aluminum heads on my turbo ski race engine that were fine after 6 years of use. As far as I know, they are still in service for the guy who bought the engine from me. My current blown Hallett also has aluminum heads. I believe this engine was built 10 years ago, and don't know that the heads were new at that time, I didn't put it together.

 

[Shlbyntro]

That's not 100% true. I ran Dart aluminum heads on my turbo ski race engine that were fine after 6 years of use. As far as I know, they are still in service for the guy who bought the engine from me. My current blown Hallett also has aluminum heads. I believe this engine was built 10 years ago, and don't know that the heads were new at that time, I didn't put it together.

we'll have to agree to disagree. I expect to see 1000hrs out of a taken care of marine engine. aluminum heads don't make that mark on open cooling systems.

 

[sintax]

AFR offers anodized heads for marine applications... I believe all Teague engines use AFR heads...

Was just about to ask about this, does this make any difference??

 

[Teague_JR]

Yes hard anodized head castings do make a difference in terms of inhibiting corrosion.

For the OP, the edelbrock hard anodized marine heads would be a good option for the horsepower range and cost effectiveness.

If you’re shooting for over 800, AFR is the way to go, sized appropriately for horsepower target

 

[Bigbore500r]

General question without much info.

What are good BBC aluminum heads for boats? 600-800HP could be forced or N/A

These....if you can find them! Everywhere says "out of stock" right now

RPM Marine Big-Block Chevy Cylinder Head Hydraulic Roller Cam

Edelbrock part #61555 Performer RPM Marine-Duty cylinder heads are designed for use with Rectangular Port Big-Block Chevy Marine applications.

www.edelbrock.com

 

[Bigbore500r]

Yes hard anodized head castings do make a difference in terms of inhibiting corrosion.

For the OP, the edelbrock hard anodized marine heads would be a good option for the horsepower range and cost effectiveness.

If you’re shooting for over 800, AFR is the way to go, sized appropriately for horsepower target

Does Teague stock the Edelbrocks? Everywhere says out of stock with no ETA

 

[28Eliminator]

I've had AFR's on mine since 2011 (2 engines), Well over 500 hours and so far so good. No closed cooling. AFR does offer the Hard Anodized water jackets on their heads as an option.

 

[alohajeff]

Edelbrock # 61555 --- I've got a source back east that says 2 in stock. $1500 each shipped to California.

Aloha

 

[Ballyhoo]

That's not 100% true. I ran Dart aluminum heads on my turbo ski race engine that were fine after 6 years of use. As far as I know, they are still in service for the guy who bought the engine from me. My current blown Hallett also has aluminum heads. I believe this engine was built 10 years ago, and don't know that the heads were new at that time, I didn't put it together.

My Brummett built engine with aluminum heads (raw water cooled) is 19 years old with 500 plus hours.

Going to have him rebuild it next year. I will ask him about the aluminum heads and this potential issue.

 

[AzMandella]

I ran Trick Flow heads on my 514 for over 10 yrs . No problem . Just run engine on the hose till hot and drain water . Heat will cause the rest to evaporate . For winter I used a bucket and rfilled it with anti freeze .