ive search the forum but I couldnt get any decent results out of the search function. Maybe I'm choosing bad search terms or something. sorry if this is a repeat question.
This past winter here in Texas was much colder for much longer than usual and I guess my typical winterizing of just draining (use to run antifreeze, stopped doing that 2 winters ago, lesson learned) the motor was not good enough this time. I have a cracked block. I realized this while on the lake yesterday. I didn't check the oil then because I expected that is was the manifold and not a crack. I ran the boat for several hours yesterday without any performance problems, only a bilge full of water. I checked my dipstick this evening after I realized the block was cracked and it was not milky. I did not drain the oil, but Im pretty sure I am not getting water in the crankcase/oil. It looks like it is just an external crack @ the waterjacket. I've done some reading an I see that this is a common freeze crack on the mercruiser 3.0s.
I'm going to attempt the JB weld repair and see what happens. But I was wondering what my options were IF I decide to replace the motor. What motors will drop in in place of a 1990 mercuiser 3.0/alpha 1, with out doing any fiberglass work or relocating the mounts. Will the 3.7 or 4.3 work?
More than likely If the JB weld thing does not work or if the crack is worse than I think I'll just scrap the boat. Its been a solid boat for the 6yrs I've owned it & I feel like I got 5x my moneys worth out of it. Ill just buy a new one during the fall.
This past winter here in Texas was much colder for much longer than usual and I guess my typical winterizing of just draining (use to run antifreeze, stopped doing that 2 winters ago, lesson learned) the motor was not good enough this time. I have a cracked block. I realized this while on the lake yesterday. I didn't check the oil then because I expected that is was the manifold and not a crack. I ran the boat for several hours yesterday without any performance problems, only a bilge full of water. I checked my dipstick this evening after I realized the block was cracked and it was not milky. I did not drain the oil, but Im pretty sure I am not getting water in the crankcase/oil. It looks like it is just an external crack @ the waterjacket. I've done some reading an I see that this is a common freeze crack on the mercruiser 3.0s.
I'm going to attempt the JB weld repair and see what happens. But I was wondering what my options were IF I decide to replace the motor. What motors will drop in in place of a 1990 mercuiser 3.0/alpha 1, with out doing any fiberglass work or relocating the mounts. Will the 3.7 or 4.3 work?
More than likely If the JB weld thing does not work or if the crack is worse than I think I'll just scrap the boat. Its been a solid boat for the 6yrs I've owned it & I feel like I got 5x my moneys worth out of it. Ill just buy a new one during the fall.
