What's up with non-stainless bolts on my Mercruiser?

[Homerr]

Was doing maintenance, and noticed rusty bolts on my engine. <br /><br />You would think Mercruiser would put stainless bolts on their engines? <br /><br />Or is this something Bayliner did?<br /><br />I've been replacing them with stainless where I can and where it's safe to do so.<br /><br />H.

 

[Clay]

Re: What's up with non-stainless bolts on my Mercruiser?

merc's are built in some gm plant. there are very few ss bolts on the engine itself. if they're rusty its very possible there were removed at one time and the paint was chipped off

 

[12Footer]

Re: What's up with non-stainless bolts on my Mercruiser?

It is more important to attempt to avoid disimular metals wherever possable, and this includes stainless steel. Of course, this is not pravtical in all cases,such as head bolts, because an aluminum bolt can't withstand the torque required for an aluminum head on an aluminum block.. So they go the cheapest route.

 

[Ross J]

Re: What's up with non-stainless bolts on my Mercruiser?

Don't forget there's 40+ different grades of Stainless Steeland some manufacturers use the lowest quality to save $$. However there could be another reason - someone somewhere has done some maintainence on it and their replacement was this metal. <br />12footer is dead right - it's not good to have dissimilar metals cause of electrolisis.<br />I guess the only safe repair would to be a rebuild but as no-one wants to do this then spray all the heads or obvious areas with some retardent spray [I believe OMC had an excellent rust preventer spray]<br />Ross

 

[Homerr]

Re: What's up with non-stainless bolts on my Mercruiser?

Thanks guys...<br /><br />The bolts were on my water-pump pulley..<br />Just an eyesore to look at all the rust!<br /><br />Like I say, I replace where it's safe to do so..<br /><br />Headbolts, exhaust bolts, etc...Forget it!<br />Best to leave these alone.<br /><br />I do have some Quicksilver protectant spray. I will hose the engine with it when maintenance is done.<br /><br />Thx,<br /><br />H.