Cracked 2.5 block options

[fairshopperguy27]

After a bunch of work to this motor I failed to notice a drip that finally turned into a big drip that finally caught my attention. I just found out my 2.5 block had a crack in it up and under the manifold. Are there any options to repair it? The motor runs pretty good.

 

[gm280]

First fairshopperguy27, post some pictures about your engine and where the crack is. I have no idea where or what your 2.5 block looks like it actual is. Some times some cracks can be brazed to fix. It really all depends what and were it is. JMHO!

 

[Grub54891]

Seen that a few times. It comes from improper winterization. The block freezes, and stuff breaks. On the one I'm running now, all the core plugs were blown out, and the crack you describe. I took a chance and bought the boat, replaced the core plugs,dremmeld the crack and filled it with something similar to jb weld,and went boating. 4 years later now, no leaks. And runs nice.

 

[thumpar]

If you do it right you can grind it out and JB weld it up. It will probably hold for awhile. In the mean time look for a 3.0l. It will fit without any troubles.

 

[fairshopperguy27]

Okay I wire brushed the cracked area, pressure washed it and hand sanded it with 100grit. Applied Fasteel epoxy. I think I'll sand it down a little more once it cures and paint the area with a few coats of high temp engine paint. It Should hold for a while?

 

[Grub54891]

It should work for awhile. Better if the crack was ve'd out a bit.not a lot but a little. Mines holding up well.

 

[fairshopperguy27]

I heard an engine runs cooler with closed cooling. Would lower temps keep the epoxy held up longer?

 

[Rick Stephens]

With closed cooling you run typically higher temperatures, but even worse, you run pressure in the cooling system. So, no, closed cooling is not a benefit. Besides, closed cooling costs a lot more than a new block.

 

[fairshopperguy27]

With closed cooling you run typically higher temperatures, but even worse, you run pressure in the cooling system. So, no, closed cooling is not a benefit. Besides, closed cooling costs a lot more than a new block.

that makes sense. I have a used heat exchanger sitting in my garage already. Reason I asked. Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... There's 1,000s of those motors out there with epoxied blocks,.... Don't sweat it,....

So long as the water ain't gettin' into the oil, it'll run like that til it dies of other causes,......

 

[fairshopperguy27]

I took the advice of drilling a small hole at each end of the crack. The right side was no problem, drilled right through into the cooling chamber. The left side of the crack was up high and forward next to #1 Cylinder. I drilled through just like I did with the other side but it didn't seem to punch through into the cooling chamber, hope I wasn't drilling into the Cylinder!

 

[Rick Stephens]

I took the advice of drilling a small hole at each end of the crack. The right side was no problem, drilled right through into the cooling chamber. The left side of the crack was up high and forward next to #1 Cylinder. I drilled through just like I did with the other side but it didn't seem to punch through into the cooling chamber, hope I wasn't drilling into the Cylinder!

Pictures is always good