Is this normal?

[Baken]

Can fresh water do this? I ask this because I was told I shouldn't see much rust unless it was in salt water.



Also should I have anything done to the port holes:

[Andrew]

RE: Is this normal?

looks pretty normal, where theres water there will more than likely be rust. it wouldn't hurt to mill those ports out and polish them, but u won't see much gain from doing so either.

[Rick]

RE: Is this normal?

Looks normal to me. The ports just need to be smooth to seal with the new gaskets. I would polish them twith a rotary wire brush stuff little rubber balls or rags into the ports to prevent anything getting into the cylinders . This is very important as you don't want a spec of rust to get into the cylinder and score a piston or the wall The little red balls you use to exercise your hands should work well

[DavidF]

RE: Is this normal?

It is normal. No water comes into contact with those areas anyway. More than likely you are just seeing surface rust due to the high heat cooking off the paint and water vapor condensing on the part when cold.

[M3Fan]

RE: Is this normal?

What they said- looks very normal to me.

[gotpwr]

RE: Is this normal?

Ditto. You will never keep paint on anything that close to the exhaust ports.