You'll never guess....another cracked block. Merc 185

[Leedanger]

Good day all!

Hey I bet you never heard this one before....cracked block. It's a 1984ish Mercruiser V6 185hp Serial# 6691470, the history is it sat in a garage for about 4 years and when it was brought to me it still had water in it. The oil came out sludgy w/ a little bit of milk to it. Found the crack on the exterior, port side in line with cylinder 3 about an inch above the oil pan. It's a very small and slender crack.

I think we can move past the right thing to do which is indeed replace the block. I believe an s10 Blazer.....? But that said where about would the internal crack, if there be one, be hiding would one guess? I have it stripped down from the top, heads, manifolds, ect are off. Cylinder walls look good and so does the crank. I don't own an engine stand...time to invest...to flip it upside down and look from the bottom. Is it possible there is a crack that I wouldn't be able to see from the top? The crack on the exterior is small enough that I would just epoxy it if there is not an internal one. I'm willing to guess that some of the "milk" came from condensation but obviously wouldn't argue if someone else had a different opinion. Thoughts....?

 

[Don S]

Re: You'll never guess....another cracked block. Merc 185

The internal cracks are usually just above the lifters.

 

[Leedanger]

Re: You'll never guess....another cracked block. Merc 185

There were no cracks I could see from the inside. Got an engine stand, flipped it over couldn't see anything. Surprisingly it looked pretty damn good considering the circumstances. I think I'm gonna take my chances and epoxy. I ground it down and cleaned it with some acetone and let it dry, I than put on the first layer, I was gonna let that dry a day or two grind again and reapply. Does that sound like decent enough epoxy practices?

Also, would someone mind checking this link to make sure I am ordering the right gasket set? I would appreciate it. http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Head-Gasket-Set-Felpro_5186234-P_101_R%7CGRPGASKAMS_____#

 

[Leedanger]

Re: You'll never guess....another cracked block. Merc 185

I forgot to ask also, I don't have a shop I'm working out of a carport so it's not heated. When I got to the point where I am going to be floor testing the motor am I going to have to drain the motor daily as I test start it? Does anyone have any safe tricks to bypass this or should I stop trying to cut corners? I was thinking of trying to set up a temporary closed cooling system somehow, I live in Utah and have to clear out my outside hose for the season so it's gonna be an hour of work or more just getting water to the thing in the first place.

Thanks again.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: You'll never guess....another cracked block. Merc 185

No pressure water cooling system , Put plate steel over w/JB wil lout last you ,Have on Case tractors last for years .Only cracked out from jugs ?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: You'll never guess....another cracked block. Merc 185

I believe an s10 Blazer.....?

not if it's an 84,... 229's were never used in trucks except the ElCamino

Is it possible there is a crack that I wouldn't be able to see from the top?

hard to predict what ice will do, but here is where every frozen 229 I have ever seen cracked- above the lifters as Don suggested

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: You'll never guess....another cracked block. Merc 185

where about would the internal crack, if there be one, be hiding would one guess? I have it stripped down from the top, heads, manifolds, ect are off.

Because the cracks can be VERY hard to see, The easiest and BEST way to check for cracks in a cooling system is to pressurize it with compressed air and listen for the leaks. If you have the intake manifold off, you can spray a little soapy water in there and look for bubbles.



Once the heads are off, it's a LOT harder to pressurize anything.........Actually, it's impossible.

 

[Leedanger]

Re: You'll never guess....another cracked block. Merc 185

No pressure water cooling system , Put plate steel over w/JB wil lout last you ,Have on Case tractors last for years .Only cracked out from jugs ?

Not sure what you mean by only cracked out from jugs....?

 

[Leedanger]

Re: You'll never guess....another cracked block. Merc 185

not if it's an 84,... 229's were never used in trucks except the ElCamino

hard to predict what ice will do, but here is where every frozen 229 I have ever seen cracked- above the lifters as Don suggested

Good to know. I think the link I had up there for the gasket set was for a Cabellara, I'll keep my eye out for a El Camino also. Referring to the crack, personally any crack I've ever seen has always had at least some rust around it as does your pic. I'd like to think that would be the case with this motor also and that I would be able to spot any flaws but I'll probably just test it as recommended.

 

[Leedanger]

Re: You'll never guess....another cracked block. Merc 185

Because the cracks can be VERY hard to see, The easiest and BEST way to check for cracks in a cooling system is to pressurize it with compressed air and listen for the leaks. If you have the intake manifold off, you can spray a little soapy water in there and look for bubbles.



Once the heads are off, it's a LOT harder to pressurize anything.........Actually, it's impossible.

Haha....wouldn't that make me quite the jerk if I tried to do it with the heads off. I bet I'd hear the air coming out then..lol. Thanks for the input.

 

[ericjeeper]

Re: You'll never guess....another cracked block. Merc 185

take the engine block and have it "Magnafluxed"

 

[gunsup007]

Re: You'll never guess....another cracked block. Merc 185

Lee thanks for the pictures. I am in the process of taring down my 4.3l and I too am afraid I have a cracked block...

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: You'll never guess....another cracked block. Merc 185

On inside of jugs intake grind a little clean with wire brush not cracked to jug cyl .sheet metel on top of JB weld . These are free flow water cooled engines no pressure to speak of just seal from oil .