Re: Worried about saltwater
"RF has it nailed...you should see the INSIDE of that "looking good outside motor..run in salt..."
Thanks, Scaaty
The unseen demon is corrosion caused by dissimilar metals in an electrolyte (salt water). Slow and sneaky and always present. And if you think that anodes and grease and all that stuff will prevent it, well it may slow it down but not prevent it. Just try working on a salt water motor as compared to a fresh water one.
I have a 61 5 1/2 Johnson that was used in both fresh and salt, and looks new, always flushed and washed down. Finally toasted a (what I believe anyway.... I replaced all the lower parts I could get to) a driveshaft seal. On these motors ya need to remove the powerhead to release the shift linkage screw. Few bolts, pretty simple. Only problem is the bolts under the motor never really got a good clean up when washed down. , but a good spray from running in salt. They are just about down to a round head from salt eating away at the bolt. I might have to get the torch out..and I bet the reason for the driveshaft seal going south is from salt water corroding the shaft just below the waterpump, which won't get a good flush with muffs, or worse, when not used between flushes (best to run small motors in a garbage can for a good flush)
A lower unit sitting in salt will have it creep into the bolt threads..real witch to get apart for an impeller change from corrosion on some.
That said, a few days in salt wont kill the boat, motor, and trailer with in the next month, but it will take a some life out them. Use it, hose it all down, WD what ya can, have fun...