Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

I need your help on repairing my cracked 350 Chevy (260 mercury I/O engine). Obviously I didn't winterize it right, and I have an 8" crack one side, and a small crack on the top of both pipes off the back off the water manifold. No water in the oil or visa versa when I ran the engine to change the oil & filter.

Can one of you great OSO guys tell me the best way to repair these cracks the right way...and if so... Thank's A Lot!... cause I really need some good advice.

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

in my opinion... since you aren't talking about some particularly special or hard to come by item, you save yourself endless future grief by repairing it by throwing it away and replacing it w/ new.

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

How to repair........pull all the parts out of the block and have them inspected by a machine shop, buy a new block and reinstall the good parts back into it! Probably not what you wanted to hear but that is what you need to do.

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

What they said. The few extra bucks for a new block is worth it for the piece of mind that it's really fixed. I've only had (1) cracked block repaired but that was in a matching numbers Corvette that I build the engine for.

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

BADTOON

So why don't you tell me how you fixed it....obviously you did it...and it was worth fixing.... instead of replacing.

That's exactly what I want to do....FIX IT....SO HOW DID YOU Do IT?????....or is that a BIG SECRET???

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

With price of good cores and new blocks I wouldn't fix a standard SBC that has been fatally wounded. Not worth it.
My 02.

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

It's my son's boat....a 79 210XL Nova....good boat...but not worth spending a lot of $$$$ on. He screwed it up.

I just thought....someone out there...might know how to fix a cracked block. Then..again ...Maybee Not.

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

sir... you are getting good professional advice in my opinion. but having said that, only you know what your time is worth... so if you want to work for a dollar an hour for the next year you have a few options... first the block gets stripped and tanked complete... then it gets mag ed to id all the cracks... then you spend a chunk of cash having a VERY good welder fix the cracks.. then.. depending on how bad they were, and how much local heat went in, you have it align honed... then you put it all back together, start it up and watch it leak from the one you missed...

or you fill it full of BARS LEAK and rely on the fact that you can always get home on one motor.

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

We gave you sound professional advice. No one's playing with you here.

Most people in this circumstance will buy a remanufactured or new long block, if this helps you anymore. Won't cost much different than having your old parts installed in a new or machined block.

SBC stuff is cheap enough where complete motors are near the same $$$ as half or less of it's parts.

We don't know your mechanical or financial abilities, thus why we are just telling you that the block is fatally wounded and is best replaced.

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

I really don't want to offend anyone....I'm not a smart ass...although...sometimes I don't word things properly. I'm a jack of all trades..and master of none.

All I'm looking for is a simple...inexpensive solution. My son works in a factory..part time as a student employee...and is looking for the cheapest way to fix the problem.

Let's face it... you guys on OSO..ARE VERY SMART...and have a lot more experience than me or my son. I don't care if you critisise, make fun, or whatever. I appreciate all of your comments, opinions and advive.

The member with the Corvette fixed his...supposidly without repacing the block. I'd like to do the same thing.

Personally, I think it can be fixed, without major $$$, and without replacing the block. If I'm wrong..so be it. At least I want to try to do-it...my way.

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

The best thing you can do is ... Replace it! It is not worth repairing. It will cost more in the long run.

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

A good used block prepped will less money than what you want to do. They can be had for a few hundred dollars. I will almost certainly guarantee the Corvette owner spent just as much, probably more money repairing the crack than a prepped block would have cost. Keep in mind that he wanted to keep the #'s matching.

Oh, by the way, if you see a crack on the outside, there is almost definately one that is internal as well.

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

I see your point. If you can fix it cheap do so, if not wait and do it right. Nothing to loose in the mean time as long as you don't mind a potential leak. I have seen blocks repaired with JB weld or other types of expoxy. Some times it works and other times it just slow the leak waaaaay down.

I assume this leak is external. Even it weeps a bit it should not be a problem. As far as the risers do replace those. You should be able to find some used or even aftermarket is cheap enough.

Try McMasterCarr.com and search on epoxy. You may ask around which epoxy would be best for cast and the temps it will see. I doubt it would get over 200.

Good luck and let us know how it works out. If you can get out of for 200 bucks and 2 hours labor go for it.

You did mention no oil and water had traded places. If you have an oil or PS cooler check it for leaks. Make sure the impeller housing is OK as well. If you only ran it on the hose it may be possible it has not heat soaked all parts which may have cracked and an internal leak may develop. I might be worth pulling the intake manifold and inspecting inside.

Tim T.

PS Make sure the bilge pump works and you have an operable over temp alarm in case it lets go and spews water.

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

sir... the one point i think you are missing was that the guy with the corvette had a block that was IRREPLACEABLE. it had the numbers on it that made it an original combination for his car that that was worth probably 20 to 40 k in INTRINSIC value... it had nothing at all to do with the value of the block itself which was probably 400 bucks... believe me he would have absolutely changed it out in a heartbeat were it not for that...

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

JB WELD and a good prayer should do it, any good preists near you, have the repaired area blessed for best results :D

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

This might work.
Super High-Temperature Metal-Filled Epoxy Putties
Seal cracks, holes, and pits in cast aluminum, cast iron, steel, and stainless steel that's exposed to extremely high temperatures. Putties have good resistance to fuel, oil, and solvents. Reach full strength in 24 hours. At full strength putties are machinable and can conduct heat.
Cast Aluminum— Powder and liquid form a ceramic- and aluminum-filled thick putty. Mix ratio is 2:1. Begins to harden at room temperature in 2-4 hours if applied less than 1/8" thick; thicker applications begin to harden with 160° F heat in another 1-2 hours. Color is light gray.
Cast Iron, Steel, and Stainless Steel— These ceramic- and stainless steel-filled one-part putties begin to harden at room temperature in 5-7 hours. If being used at temperatures less than 400° F, they begin to harden in 3 hours in 200° F heat. Color is dark gray. 8-oz. size includes 4 oz. of thinner so you can change the viscosity.
Size Max. Temperature Each

Cast Aluminum
12 oz. 1400° F 7356A32 $27.38

1 1/2 pt. 1400° F 7356A34 60.45

Cast Iron, Steel, and Stainless Steel
8 oz. 2000° F 7356A33 31.36

1 pt. 2000° F 7356A35 60.45


McMasterCarr.com page 3209

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

I have healed quite a few cracked blocks over the years, I agree with the above but some do not have the resources to throw at their toys! I will tell you how to go about a fix that does work, take a Dremel tool and find the ends they should be stop drilled. I drill them with a 3/16" bit then tap the hole with a 1/4-20 tap, then put a plain steel bolt in the hole and snug it up. If you boat in salt the rest is easy, all you need to do is run it. After about 4-5 trips the cracks will corrode shut I garentee it. If you are a fresh water guy then you need to desolve rock salt in water and fill the block again after it gets about 4-5 treatments it will corrode shut. When done if it is a fresh water rig flush it with "Salt Away" a few times to get all the brine out. Just this spring I did this to a buddy's Dodge diesel man he was some happy he was looking at a Mega Bill, it holds system pressure with no sign of weepage.

Phil

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

I had a 350/260 that cracked. I took as may of the accessories as I could off ground the crack and area around it to get paint and rust etc off and welded it up. You don't really have much to loose it is no good now and if you can weld it is worth a try. Mine lasted for 10 seasons with no problems. I have also used JB weld to fix a hole in the power steering ram that lasted for 7 years.

Good luck

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

Magnuts,
You've heard some great advice here. I think you were hoping that someone had a miracle cure-quick fix that could be done with little money and time. The fact is, there is no cheap miracle quickfix.
True story...
A friend bought a beautiful 223 Baja Bandit with 454 Mag last year from Oklahoma. When he was buying it he called me while he was on the test ride. He saw water leaking out of the engine. The owner stated he thought it was an exhaust manifold gasket leaking. :rolleyes:
I told him if it was indeed leaking at the exhaust manifold it was probably cracked. I just happened to have a few pair in my shop so he worked the owner for a "little" better deal and brought the boat home.
For fun I put the boat on a hose to see for myself what was leaking. It wasn't the exhaust manifold, it was a 4" crack in the block.
I first tried the JB Weld. It worked for two days. I then took a die grinder and made a groove along the crack, wire brushed the complete area, warmed the side of the block with a heat gun, then applied JB Weld again, pushing as much as I could into the groove. This time it made it almost 3 weeks before leaking again. We went on to try epoxy, alumaweld, and other glue-alls. I am now shopping for a used big-block, but price was holding my friend back. We then removed the engine, tore it apart, and shipped it to some old guy in Wichita Kansas who somehow drilled and welded it. It was shipped back, Re-assembled and re-installed. It's holding so far.
Bottom line, when all was said and done we should have just bought a new block and swapped parts. He would have spent about the same money and had fresh reliable power. It was not a good overall experience for my friend.
Chances are I'm not the only boat mechanic that has gone through the same trial/error experience. You asked what could be done, we're just giving you our best advice based on our experience. Take it and use it at will with the best of luck.

BTW, If I ever meet the original Baja owner,
I'll kick his arse myself.

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

THANK'S A BUNCH....OSO GUYS. I'm going to try Bars Leak and/or Iron Seal for the posibility of an internal wall crack...then J&B for the outside visible crack....and see what happens.

An offshore boat repair shop owner nearby said...that he used this method on a few ocasions and it worked perfectly. He also said that freinds of his WITH RACE ENGINES... did it too, and it worked. I'll let you know tomorow what the results are.

Stay tuned...don't change the station...have a drink...and when you go to bed tonight...think about me. And if you don't...than think about my girlfreind...she's 5'0" tall.....
blue eyes with strawberry blond hair...weighs 100 # soacking wet...is a stripper...34"24"34" and a nymhpomaniac.

But..don't loose any sleep over it. Just Tell your wife I said Hi..AND STOP CALLING ME...my wife's getting suspicious.

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

A freind of mine, who is a millwright, said he knows of a fool proof solution, that he's performed many times.

You drill a hole in the middle of the crack...then you tap it...then you drill another hole along the crack, overlaping the first hole...and tap it. You do this along the entire crack...insert screwed plugs with threading compound in each of the threaded holes....AND WHOOLA....you've got a perfect seal.

That's why they pay him $50.00 an hour at Ford Motor Company. Yes.....it can done, but only if the crack is in an accesable place. Otherwise...you're screwd.

Now...I'm trying to decide whether I want to fix the motor ...or get SCREWED by my girlfreind. I know one thing for sure...she's got a crack in an accessable place.

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

We really need pictures, of the girlfriend that is, in order to help you any further.

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

I concur

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

Now I'm a little confused....what should I do first...take pictures of the crack in the block...or my girlfreind???

I think I need another..:drink: ya..maybee.. :drink: :drink:

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

MagNuts,

For the piece of mind and BOATING safety, I would replace the block. You cannot compare an auto application to a marine application. While the cracks may appear superficial, the block casting needs to be intact to survive the loads and stresses induced in a marine environment. These blocks are align-honed to .001" or less and a crack is at least that wide...It's even worse if the block has salt water running through it...

The important thing to remember is that even though it is a water jacket, it is integral to the overall strength of the block. If it weren't necessary, the water jackets would be copper or tin...

Replace It. You still may be able to use many of your parts if you reconditioned them. If it self-destructs, you will probably be out a whole motor... :( and obviously this is much more $$$ to replace. Stock short blocks are relatively inexpensive.

Exhaust Manifolds can be successfully welded without a problem. :D

Good Luck!

-Larry

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

:eek: :eek:

As an engineer, I would NEVER suggest this fix for a marine engine (or any cast iron block engine). Your friend may have had success, but I would be amazed if it really lasted. Plugs actually seal by putting outward 'wedging' pressure on the hole threads, and I have to think that during heating and cooling that the plugs would loosen up and eventually leak again. I would also be concerned that the crack would actually get longer over time.

Welding is the only option that will seal the leak, but there is so much you need to do to have it done. You might as well replace the block. Welding IN a boat is a VERY risky undertaking....Trust me, I know... A friend of mine was SEVERELY burned when he attempted to weld a exhaust manifold on the boat...not a good idea...

Good Luck!

-Larry

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

I would like to thank the following members for all of their helpfull advice and comments:

ljsmith
stevesxm
t500hps
SIB
chekmate454mag
jmherbert
BadDog
ratman
MOP
sonicator
Gordo

Stay tuned for the latest news...and pictures of my girlfreind!

Thank's guys, Bobby

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

schite, even I am not so tight I would jerry rig and monkey fk a motor just to save a couple hundred bucks.....

well, someone has to keep the tow boats running, one of my clients makes a hell of a lot of money from people that were to tight to fix it right that they got to pay his $250 tow bill and THEN fix it right....

but hey, some people gotta learn everything the hard way....

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

YOU GOTTA HAVE BALLS!!!!!

Most boat owners..... pay dearly..... to have problems fixed.

Why.......? BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE BALLS TO DO IT THEMSELVES.....to study the probem...ask for advice...and fix it themselves. Instead...they think only an expert in the feild ...can do it right. Basicaly....they are cowards.....WHIMPS. I'm sorry to say it....but a lot of you out there are whooooosy's. You have lots of money to burn .....and pay somebody else to solve your problems.

It's PERFECTLY OK......if your time is more valuable making $$$....and can pay someone else to remedy the problem. BUT....not all of us are in your position....and even if we were....We'd still attempt to fix it ourselves. And....if it didn't work out right....then we'd let someone else step in and fix the problem.

Personally....I can't understand ...ALL....the people on this chat line saying ....you can't fix it yourself...it won't work... your wasting your time....and it's now going to cost you a lot more to pay someone to do it right. BULLLSHEEEEEET!!!!

I think you're wrong....you're lazy... don't have any confidence in acheiving what you want to do....and enjoy putting other peoples ideas down.

All you want you to do is....sit in front of that big screen tv..make sure you've got enough munchies and beer....and fall asleap....and hope that you are still rich tommorow when you wake up.

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

Or follow it when they do ask and it is given....

Here is another possibility, boating an be dangerous, you are running high speeds, with high power equipment, explosive fuels, high temperatures, often times a few beers, no breaks, no way to walk away from a problem... Maybe boaters pay dearly for repairs cause they ain't riding no big wheel with four moving parts made of plastic?????

Man, it makes no difference to me REALLY, but you ask for advice, and got a lot of it, from a lot of people, and almost everyone said trying to repair this was a dumb azz thing to do and you should just replace the block.....

Maybe the people you ask advice from had some, maybe it was good advice, maybe you do not realize what you contemplate is just plain dumb because you do not understand how all this stuff works. Or everyone else is dumb, you have it right, and asking everyone's advice was a stupid mistake on your part.

Really, it is not that big a deal, probably will not kill anyone, worst thing that is likely to happen is you jerry rig it, you run it a while, crack opens, motor dies, you get a tow, then buy a block....

But maybe you jerry rig it, you run it a while, then it looks good so you start REALLY stressing the motor at high speed and the cooling patch breaks causing a lot more damage and LARGE water passage opening, your engine loses all water, massive over heating of oil, creating extreme vapors off the oil, engine becomes pressurized from the breather vents becoming clogged and your valve cover gaskets blow scorching hot oil all over the exhaust manifold and you become 4th of July fireworks....

But since none of us will be in the boat with you, and we tried like hell to get you to just fix it the right way, it is really not that big a deal..... right?

As to the money thing, maybe guys with money have it because they did not try to half azz things??? Or maybe the path to riches is throw your money away haphazardly? Someone once told me "if you want to be rich, do what rich people do", maybe they got it all wrong...

Man, I wish you the best of luck, in what ever you try, but as a responsible boater, you should consider not letting anyone ride in your boat until the block is repaired correctly. At a MINIMUM make sure all passengers know you were not willing to repair a critical component in a safe manner, and while it is not the PROBABLY out come, it is possible your boat becomes a fire ball with them in it. Then they can decide if they want to take the chance or not... It is the least you should do.

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

Since you already know what to do, I don't understand why you came on here asking how to do it.

I wouldn't even think about a patchwork fix. Sheeeet, you can go behind a tree and sh1t an SBC block. I bet I could find a used bare block for $50. I'd send it to a machine shop and have it tanked and checked, that would be probably $150 or so. Then I wouldn't be scared, or too lazy to take the parts from the cracked block and put them in the new block. But there is no way in hell, I'd try to weld, or glue the block together, because next thing you know, you'll be buying a block, a crank, new rods, new pistons, new cam etc.

Go ahead and try your cheap fix, just be sure to report back, because we are not above saying "I told you so".

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

And this coming from a guy that makes a project out of a perfectly GOOD boat! :eek: :D (all 8 of them!)

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

I have been following this thread since yesterday and I am starting to get a picture of this guy in my head and some how I keep coming up with trailer parks and people with no teeth anybody else got that impression or is just me. Brian

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

remember what forest gump said.... " stupid is as stupid does"

its his money and its his time. best case is that he gets lucky and lives thru it... worst case is , the repair fails on the water, motor explodes, catches fire and burns to the waterline....

for me, a good used 150 dollar blocks sounds like cheap insurance... but hell... im missing oprah while im writing this...

and why the hell is ANYBODY wasting any more time on this...

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

I was not as good with motors as I am today back when I was 16 I put a brand new 350 in my 69 Camaro on a 70 degree day in March and did not put antifreeze in the motor. when I woke up in the morning it was snowing and of coarse cracked the block. I JB welded it at least 1 a week each time trying to do a better job. Tried the drilling holes at end of crack, V out the crack, push the JB weld in, heat the block first ect ect never worked. To this day have not tried it again and never will. Good luck in your venture.

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

I've been watching this thread too. HOLY CRAP!
Buy a block already! You can probably get one at Kmart!!
I can't believe we're wasting good bandwidth on this!:)

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

I'm still waiting for the pics of the girlfriend. :drink:

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

Me too! :)

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

Great replies guys.....I asked for your opinions...and you gave them to me.

It makes me feel good that you've taken the time to agree with me...and to disagree. That's what the forums are all about. It's similar to a person asking his freinds on how to raise his kids....like spanking or no spanking....a chip snack before dinner...or after dinner. The fact is...it's my time...and my money. I'll make the final decision on what I'm going to do...and see what happens.

If I succeed...good for me...and if I don't...I'll learn the hard way....Just another lesson in life. And beleive me...no ones wasting their time...just voicing their honest opinion. And I really appreciate it.

As far a "JUICY LUCY'S" pictures go...I'm not sure if I can post pictures, until OSO gets my membership fee...but if I can... let me know...cause OSO hasen't answered that question yet.

Re: Cracked block...NEED HELP!
 

Not a big secret. I had a cracked cylinder and a good machine shop so sleeved and it worked. If your crack is else ware it can be welded BUT the welder needs to know his stuff. My self if the block was cracked it would go to the scrap yard but I had to do what my customer wanted and I explained the possible problems.