Rust on engine straight out of factory?

[Trämör]

Guys, got the truck, 7.3L, 6.5miles on it. Check out the pic, has rust on the engine parts. Is this normal?

 

[Pachmayr]

yessir', that is normal for the exhaust manifold

 

[Driftwood]

I'll check mine tonight, out of curiosity.

 

[JC_Tremor]

Surface rust...isn't it carbon steel? Not really a big deal.

 

[Pachmayr]

Surface rust...isn't it carbon steel? Not really a big deal.

Some vehicles have stainless steel exhaust manifold(s), but ours are good ol' cast iron

 

[Trämör]

Some vehicles have stainless steel exhaust manifold(s), but ours are good ol' cast iron

Honestly that’s so odd/weird. Hard for me to see how this was a cost decision? Is cast iron that much cheaper? What about the weight savings over other materials?

 

[Pachmayr]

Honestly that’s so odd/weird. Hard for me to see how this was a cost decision? Is cast iron that much cheaper? What about the weight savings over other materials?

Cast iron is vastly less expensive than stainless steel (SS) A grade of SS that, say, has 20% chromium will cost A LOT more. There is a weight reduction with SS, but it really wouldn't matter in a heavy truck.
Of all the corners Ford can cut, this might be one of the most legit.

> SS = Titanium, which is used is (some) exhaust parts on (very few) cars
things can get crazy