4.3l Cracked block

[Aquatron]

Ok I have a quick question how can you check for a cracked block without starting the boat. The owner tells me that the oil pan is rusted and has a crack and that's how he thinks water got in the block.He selling at a great price but it needs a lot of interior work I just don't want to have to change the motor. He doesn't want to change the oil and start it because he wants to just get rid of the boat. I know buyer beware, just hoping for some good advice on checking the block without running it?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 4.3l Cracked block

remove the spark plugs,remove the drive, insert a garden hose in the inlet. turn on water. see where it runs out from
or see if the block fills with water. Atleast bring a battery to spin the motor over.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3l Cracked block

Ok I have a quick question how can you check for a cracked block without starting the boat. The owner tells me that the oil pan is rusted and has a crack and that's how he thinks water got in the block.He selling at a great price but it needs a lot of interior work I just don't want to have to change the motor. He doesn't want to change the oil and start it because he wants to just get rid of the boat. I know buyer beware, just hoping for some good advice on checking the block without running it?

Ayuh,.... Then Don't buy the boat....

Odds are a Million to 1, it'll be needin' it....

 

[Aquatron]

Re: 4.3l Cracked block

Thanks for the ideas Bt Doctur that's what I'm looking for. I just don't want to walk away from a deal without checking it out. Once I check it out then I will decide if I want to invest time and money. Thanks again.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 4.3l Cracked block

The owner tells me that the oil pan is rusted and has a crack and that's how he thinks water got in the block.

From that information, it would mean that either: A) the water got high enough in the bilge to leak into the cracked pan, or B) you have an internal crack or leak. Either is not good. At the very least take the doctor's advice and see if it will at least turn over, better yet take Bond-o's advice.

 

[halfmoa]

Re: 4.3l Cracked block

Run fast and hard. If the owner thinks it's cracked and it's not then what the hell is wrong??? Either way you're looking at engine work. And interior work. And if they took that poor care of the engine and interior which you can see and feel then what do the electrical and structural systems look like? Probably just a bad if not worse.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 4.3l Cracked block

Just for the record . . . this boat is at a great price most likely because the block is cracked.

But if you insist . . . take the thermostat housing cover off and take note of the water level (if any). Add some water until it fills up. you can even crank the engine a few times just to make sure the air gets out. Then see if the water level goes down, add as needed. If the water level goes down, look to see where it is going.

Additionally, do a compression test on all cylinders.

However, if there is water in the oil, it is most likely from the crack in the block. The oil pan story is a great idea and I would certainly try to use it if I were dumping a bad engine on someone.

 

[Speakrdude]

Re: 4.3l Cracked block

I buy Boats with Cracked blocks, manifolds, risers, needing interior work, all the time. If the price is right, really right, you can drop in a long block, fix her up, play with it for a while or turn it for a profit. (If your into that sort of thing. Fortunantely, I am.)