T&T: Perkins info

[John Akins]

Ladies, gentlemen, and the rest of us, I am new to the list and my name is
John. I am a longtime ( 45 years) sailor with a USCG Masters license who has
recently come over to the dark side ( ouch. OUCH! Hey, tomatoes are ok, but do
you have to throw boots?)
 
I bought a Gulfster 44 with Perkins 6-354s to live
aboard. Boat was in really foul, neglected shape, and after months of much
work it is now liveable, but it is not yet what I would describe as
a seaworthy vessel. I need advice.
 
After a cursory engine inspection at
survey, I had an oil analysis done which showed elevated levels of
stuff...bearings, shaft, etc....so I bailed. Discovered oil and trans fluids
had not been changed in 500 hours, so had all changed and engines run for 5
hours and resampled. Readings were much better, so as the price was right,
bought the boat and will change fluids and analyze every fifty hours. (Total
times engines ~1800 hours)
 
That's background for today's problem: after
sitting for a couple of months, fired up the engines and got a TREMENDOUS
amount of rust spewing from the exhaust. If these things had exhaust risers I
would swear they were rusted(ing) through. As there are no risers, do you
think the exhaust manifolds are suspect?
 
I'll get to electrical problems
next time.
 
(Thank Davy for lists where people really know what they are
talking about)