Probably cracked block please help!!!!

[moontraveler1984]

Just got the boat out of storage today and put it in the water to make sure the engine turned over before the season begins, and I notice water leaking from the engine around the area where the motor mounts connect. I figure the block is cracked. Please tell me what you think.

If its cracked heres what Im thinking

1.) if it can be done, weld the crack
2.) replace the motor with one from a bone yard ford 302
3.) replace the whole upper and lower unit with something else... probably merc.
4.) part out the boat and junk it.
5.) trade in for a new boat - last resort!

Please input is great tell me your experiences!!!!

The boats a 1977 Mark Twain V-Star, with an OMC I/O Ford 302 V8

 

[Coors]

Re: Probably cracked block please help!!!!

#4 maybe

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Probably cracked block please help!!!!

......

 

[Maclin]

Re: Probably cracked block please help!!!!

1. Is this boat new to you this season?
2. Was it winterized last season?
3. Did you/they put all the drain plugs back in?
4. Do you have reason to suspect it was not winterized properly?
5. Did it leak while running or just sitting?
6. Was the water running out or trickling out?

 

[moontraveler1984]

Re: Probably cracked block please help!!!!

I bought the boat from a marina last summer for pretty cheap. I have already put alot of time and some money into the boat. I winterized the thing and I am almost completely certain there was no water in the engine over the winter, plus where I had it stored it was highly unlikely the temp got below freezing. All the drain plugs are back in and the water is only coming out while the engine is running. Towards the end of last season I noticed alot of water in the engine compartment, Im not sure if this is just a continuation of that or something new. The water is coming out at a pretty good rate, I would say its like a sink thats about 1/2 to 2/3s of the way on. I didnt see any oil in the water, but I know more about car engines rather than boats. If anyone has a few pointers or suggestion please point me in the right direction. Im pretty handy with a wrench, I just need a little insight, I will look for the actual location of the water leak and get back with more information. Thanks everyone

 

[Bondo]

Re: Probably cracked block please help!!!!

I will look for the actual location of the water leak and get back with more information.

Ayuh,....

When you get That Info,....... Then maybe We can Help.....

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Probably cracked block please help!!!!

Isn't there a block drain right around the motor mount on a 302? It's been a few years since I have had one.
Don't panic yet. Get a mirror and a flashlight out and see what you see.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Probably cracked block please help!!!!

Howdy,

If you have power steering and a water cooled oil cooler you may have a cracked heat exchanger. Sometimes you don't get all the pooled water out of those places and it'll freeze and crack them but not destroy them.

You also may have a boat that has a bad floor and transom. If so it may not be worth it to do anything to the engine.

If you haven't spoken to these guys http://www.marktwainboats.org/forums/portal.php yet you might go over there and check them out.

Otherwise in my mind you really have 3 options.......4 maybe.

Option 1. part it out. The parts aren't really worth much. You'll probably end up cutting the boat up with a chain saw and hauling most of it to the dump in small piece! If they find out it's a cut up boat they'll probably charge you extra!

Option 2. do what I did, find a donor boat and remove the Mercruiser/Volvo Penta engine/drive and replace EVERYTHING. (notice I excluded OMC.....DON'T BUY ANOTHER OMC.....DON'T DO IT!!!!)

Option 3. Sell it as is ..... Well, you may have to pay someone to take it.

Option 4. find a used 302 (if the engine is REALLY cracked) install it and sell it.


I had a 1966 Mark Twain. My dad bought it new so it had sentimental value to me. (In fact the guy that I sold it to said he'd sell it back to me if he got rid of it. I may still buy it back!!)

ALL the Mark Twains evidently had rotten floor/stringer/transom problems. My dad replaced the floor and stringers in the late 1970's.

It's a HUGE job. You have to REALLY want to keep the boat to justify it.

There you go...


Good luck!


Rick

 

[moontraveler1984]

Re: Probably cracked block please help!!!!

Think I found the leak, and it seems to be a freeze plug that has come loose. How hard is it to tap one of those back into place?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Probably cracked block please help!!!!

They're easy. if you can swing a hammer in there...

Just get another one at the auto parts store. (don't use the old one)

USE A BRASS ONE. get a deep socket that fits the plug and tap it in with a peen hammer.

Don't over do it. you'll drive it all the way into the block if you do.


You may still have a cracked block. Those soft plugs are not there to prevent freeze damage.

Cross your fingers!

 

[Coors]

Re: Probably cracked block please help!!!!

they hardly ever "pop out"; was it winterized correctly? Is it brass or steel? Steel will rust, but "pop out" is an indicator of other problems.