Preventing electrochemical corrosion alloy heads

[ethov8]

Any ideas on preventing this type of corrosion or slowing it down. Mine are Eddelbrock heads but I guess the make is immaterial. The engine has not been run with coolant in it yet.
Any ideas appreciated.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by ethov8

Any ideas on preventing this type of corrosion or slowing it down. Mine are Eddelbrock heads but I guess the make is immaterial. The engine has not been run with coolant in it yet.
Any ideas appreciated.

Yeah, use modern anti-freeze / coolant.
Nearly all modern engines use a lot of aluminum in them.
Corrosion of these parts is not much of a worry these days.
Even my Aston requires zero additives other than modern anti-freeze / coolant.

[petehoovie]

Excellent Read > http://www.sancarlosradiator.com/VoltageDrop/water.htm

Consider this stuff as well > https://no-rosion.com/norosioncoolant.htm

[russcc]

Depending on the climate you are in, No-Rosion and Reverse osmosis water is not only an effective coolant, but it eliminates corrosion. When you install the heads, coat the studs or bolt shanks with graphite petrolatum anti-seize, and you will be able to get the off again in the future.

[qmdv]

Interesting subject. I just pulled the water pumps. They were rebuilt by the guy in Florida and installed eight months ago. Used Ethylene Glycol (green stuff). 50/50. We have pretty hard water. Should a guy use premixed modern anti freeze.

[tubman]

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I have installed a sacrificial anode, if only for mental health reasons.

[qmdv]

Originally Posted by tubman

I have installed a sacrificial anode, if only for mental health reasons.

It works in water heaters

[DavidG]

Mike,


As in Martin?

[Brian]

Me, personally, I use 50% antifreeze mix, sacrificial anodes, anti seize on all head studs, numerous grounding straps, including one of those rubber ones that drags on the ground. Like the Irishman who wore two condoms; to be sure, to be sure!

[ethov8]

Originally Posted by tubman

I have installed a sacrificial anode, if only for mental health reasons.

Hi
Are you using zinc or a zinc solution as an anode? If it is zinc how do you get it into contact with the aluminium and in the electrolyte as well?
Cheers Marcus

[ethov8]

Originally Posted by Brian

Me, personally, I use 50% antifreeze mix, sacrificial anodes, anti seize on all head studs, numerous grounding straps, including one of those rubber ones that drags on the ground. Like the Irishman who wore two condoms; to be sure, to be sure!

Hi Brian
Tell me more about these grounding straps you use. Do you ground the engine direct or what? What material are the straps etc.
Cheers Marcus

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by ethov8

Hi Brian
Tell me more about these grounding straps you use. Do you ground the engine direct or what? What material are the straps etc.
Cheers Marcus

These are rubber anti-static straps that attach to the frame of the vehicle and drag on the ground.
They are meant to eliminate the build up of static electricity in the body of the car and have nothing to do with eliminating engine corrosion.
Just Google 'static strap' for availability.

[franksford]

Reverse osmosis water may not be your best choice. Water that has been striped of all it's elements will want them back and will go after the softest metal first. You want water with a neutral PH of 7. Any thing less is acidic, not good for aluminum heads. Anodes in the radiator will be a big help, zinc or magnesium is best along with the proper antifreeze. I used to work with DI ultra pure water and was amazed at how aggressive it was and how it rusted the best tools we had. Just my thoughts. Frank

[Kube]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Mike,


As in Martin?

Yes.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by franksford

Reverse osmosis water may not be your best choice. Water that has been striped of all it's elements will want them back and will go after the softest metal first. You want water with a neutral PH of 7. Any thing less is acidic, not good for aluminum heads. Anodes in the radiator will be a big help, zinc or magnesium is best along with the proper antifreeze. I used to work with DI ultra pure water and was amazed at how aggressive it was and how it rusted the best tools we had. Just my thoughts. Frank

What gets you the neutral ph? Distilled?

[Brian]

The zinc anodes I make. Get some 1/2 dia zinc rod [I buy it from local marine shop], cut to suitable lengths. Cut a 1/4 pipe thread on one end. Get a brass 3/8 pipe plug, it'll have a recess inside it. Tap that out 1/4 pipe thread, screw in the zinc. Now you've got something that looks very similar to a temp gauge sender...Screw into the cylinder head. Job done.

[alchemy]

Here's zinc anodes: https://www.boatzincs.com/engine.html

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by alchemy

Here's zinc anodes: https://www.boatzincs.com/engine.html

Amazing, no work, no getting anything and cheap.

[34billct]

The best bet is to use pre mixed and change every two years and you will have no problems.

[tubman]

Originally Posted by ethov8

Hi
Are you using zinc or a zinc solution as an anode? If it is zinc how do you get it into contact with the aluminium and in the electrolyte as well?
Cheers Marcus

I'd tell you what I did, but the ones that "alchemy" posted are much better and cheaper, so I'm getting a couple of them and throwing mine away.