Cylinder Head Electrolysis

[Boise]

I'm in the process of rebuilding an s52 and I noticed what looks like some electrolysis on the cylinder head.





So my question is, whats the best fix? I don't really want to go through the cost of having it welded and ground down, so that leaves me with 3 options that I can think of:

1) Do nothing (not a good option as I suspect it will leak)
2) Fill it with JB Weld
3) Fill it with RTV gasket maker

Has anyone else experienced electrolysis like this? How did you fix it and is it holding up?

[diegom6]

I would fill it with Permatex Grey RTV that hold up pretty damn good!

[Boise]

I would fill it with Permatex Grey RTV that hold up pretty damn good!

Permatex Ultra Grey is what my RTV option is (what I have on hand)

[AndrewBird]

Jb weld would be a more permanent fix, but gasket sealer would work. You would just have to redo it every time.

[Thrizzle]

Had the same problem in the same spot on my s52 head. Just cleaned it up real well and used rtv. Hasn't leaked ye.

[Boise]

I decided to fill it with JB Weld. It should hold up pretty good. I might add a little RTV when I put it together just to make sure.

[brent5631]

If you job weld it it will be much harder to fix later if it ever needs welding.

[Dj Buttchug]

Thats not even bad. Some RTV will seal that up no problem. Jb weld will also fill the pitting up nicely.

Do yourself a favor once you get the engine assembled and add a 6 or 8 gauge ground wire from somewhere on the head to either the chassis or the block. this will reduce electrolysis significantly

[Boise]

Do yourself a favor once you get the engine assembled and add a 6 or 8 gauge ground wire from somewhere on the head to either the chassis or the block. this will reduce electrolysis significantly

Wouldn't the head bolts make a conductive connection between the head and block like a piece of wire would? Especially since the block is grounded to the chassis. Hmmm, now you have me thinking...

[LowR3V'in]

What causes this?