Head Gasket

[pdaigle]

Does anyone have documentation as to why a Marine Motor needs to have a Marine Head Gasket (Stainless) vs an Automotive Head Gasket (Steel)??  Mine 5.7 Omc was assemblied w/an Automotive Gasket which failed, filled two cylinders w/water.

Thank you

[wakejunky]

Freshwater + steel = rust/ corrosion

happens quicker than you might think. possible corrosion on head and/or block's deck from the first blown headgskt creating a warped surface. if not properly dealt with ( machining both surfaces) leaves a place for even more corrosion. Most common failure is between two cylinders simply because thats the thinnest part of the gskt. Even with machined surfaces freshwater will destroy a steel headgskt on a marine engine.