On Wed, 14 Jan 2004 20:31:14 +0000, Wayne. wrote:

On Wed, 14 Jan 2004 23:52:30 GMT, "jim" wrote:

hey guys, looking for some guidance on salt water since i boat on the
Ohio river. I am looking a purchasing a formula that is in Florida that
is a 99 with 502 motors. Two years rack stored, two and half years in
the water with bottom paint, bottom paint put on last year. Outdrives
replaced in december. Motors have 700 hours with 160 psi compression,
but what I am worried about is the salt water going through the engine.
How bad is this?
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It's bad. If the engines are salt water cooled, they are getting near
the end of their useful life, particularly on a boat which has been
pushed hard. If freshwater cooled with heat exchangers, then you need
to worry about the exhaust manifolds, risers and oil coolers, all of
which are about due for replacement. In either case, those engines with
700 hours on them are no bargain at any price.

I think our salt water must be different from yours. Although Far Cove is
fresh-water cooled, the heat exchanger, riser, etc. has been exposed to
salt water for 20 years (3000hrs or so) and are still good. If 700 hrs is
"real" (ie the hourmeter has not been disconnected, etc) I'd say the
engines still have lots of life left.

Hell, sweat is salt water. If it was THAT damaging, everything we touched
would be corroded and falling apart.

ALL outboards are "raw-water cooled" and ones that are in the water
24/7/364 are usually not flushed after every use. Yet, they seem to last
for more than 5 years...

Lloyd Sumpter
"Far Cove" Catalina 36