My potential boat has a problem, cracked block?

[Handegard]

EDIT: For all you pessimists out there who can't take the time to give a answer, but can take the time to riddicule my decision, I'll have you know I grabbed a 305 block freshly punched .030 over today, got gaskets and bearings, and already had piston rings. Total spent, $54 after tax.

I expect to have the boat in the water tomorow. For a grand total of $554.

 

[mkast]

Re: My potential boat has a problem, cracked block?

Now, I'm a auto mechanic, so I'm not afraid of fixing a engine or replacing the block. I'm just wondering if there is a common place it this motor cracks, or if it's more common that it pops a freeze plug, etc.

Start the engine and look.

 

[searay3]

Re: My potential boat has a problem, cracked block?

first off, omc is out of business for quiet a few years. Second, that fact that he even admitted the block froze makes it a scrap boat. He should be paying you to take it off his hands. A merc or volvo swap will cost way too much to accomplish versus buying something that runs with merc or volvo power. Even if it's free, it's gonna cost you big time to get it water ready. If the engine was mistreated, how is the drive. (parts and mechanics are scarce...ebay or used parts are very common problems with these drives.) IMHO, walk away...unless you have a donor boat that runs.

 

[Maclin]

Re: My potential boat has a problem, cracked block?

You can isolate the engine's cooling system and do a pressure test

Good luck, but on an engine that has never had antifreeze in it the block almost always cracks even if the core plugs let go. Plus the core plugs are not designed to save the block from a freeze but sometimes get the credit anway.

In an auto engine there is more of a chance that some antifreeze lingered and made the ice slushy enough that it did not have quite the punching power as pure ice. But the owner of a raw water cooled boat engine is more likely to not be that fortunate.

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: My potential boat has a problem, cracked block?

boat is scrap .take it for free and part it out. outdrive is of value but not on boat. somebody could use it along with all the parts. trailer is also of value,but not together as a whole.

 

[Handegard]

Re: My potential boat has a problem, cracked block?

Deleted

 

[Cpt D]

Re: My potential boat has a problem, cracked block?

You might also need to buy new exhaust manifolds

 

[WizeOne]

Re: My potential boat has a problem, cracked block?

You might also need to buy new exhaust manifolds

Yep, but when you want it bad, common sense flies out the window!

A boat that old with an obsolete outdrive and likely freeze damage from motor to exhaust ought to be given for free!

Oh! Did I fail to mention? A bayliner to boot, and in a massive recession as well!

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: My potential boat has a problem, cracked block?

as long as your happy ,it might work out. Just set a cutoff so you dont get
past the point of no return. Let us know what happens, and some pics .
I had a omc project i gave away as i t was not mine kind of dumped on me before i wanted a boat so i gave the whole thing away, regret it now, no wonder the guy kept buggin me for it he probably parted it out too. But some of the prices for parts on the omc was more then the price i paid for the boat i have now.

 

[rangoneer]

Re: My potential boat has a problem, cracked block?

If the block and heads are cracked from freezing water...what other components would need replaced? Exhaust Manifolds? Risers? Water temp sensor? Water impeller, Etc?

 

[Handegard]

Re: My potential boat has a problem, cracked block?

Deleted

 

[bruceb58]

Re: My potential boat has a problem, cracked block?

So...trying to figure this out. Why was this post started?

 

[Handegard]

Re: My potential boat has a problem, cracked block?

Prior to me actually looking at the boat, I wanted to know if there was a common failure that I should focus my energy on finding.

I'd hate to get all contorted laying on the ground looking at the sides of the block with a mirror only to find out it commonly cracks behind the timing cover or in the bell housing and I couldn't have seen it anyway And water wasn't available at the site the boat was at to run it on the muffs and look for a leak.

I'm a auto-tech. I'm trained to look for patter failures.

 

[Maclin]

Re: My potential boat has a problem, cracked block?

The pattern on raw water cooled boat engines going thru a winter (or winters) with water in the block is cracked INTERNAL cooling pasages, and outside cracks as well. As an auto-tech you should be able to figure out how to pressure test the cooling system, so do that first.

 

[Handegard]

Re: My potential boat has a problem, cracked block?

I do know how to pressure test a cooling system. But as I understand a raw water cooling system, my methods won't work. And as I've stated, water was unavailable.

I'm really sorry I asked a question everyone. Seriously. I can assure you I won't be bothering any of you with questions on this forum anymore.

 

[captmello]

Re: My potential boat has a problem, cracked block?

Chris,

Don't let the negativity get to you. I know nothing about OMC's and have nothing to offer except that I do think there is good info to be had on this site. Some guys are quick to post comments and opinions without thinking about what they are saying.

If you have questions about your Volvo I hope you'll continue to ask.

 

[Handegard]

Re: My potential boat has a problem, cracked block?

Chris,

Don't let the negativity get to you. I know nothing about OMC's and have nothing to offer except that I do think there is good info to be had on this site. Some guys are quick to post comments and opinions without thinking about what they are saying.

If you have questions about your Volvo I hope you'll continue to ask.

Hey, I don't argue, I love this site. I'm never going to mention my Bayliner again though. I'll find another forum to ask about it in.

For the Volvo you guys have been nothing but great. Nobody has ridiculed me for spending twice on it what I've spent on this much nicer boat. Go figure.

 

[Maclin]

Re: My potential boat has a problem, cracked block?

EDIT: For all you pessimists out there who can't take the time to give a answer, but can take the time to riddicule my decision, I'll have you know I grabbed a 305 block freshly punched .030 over today, got gaskets and bearings, and already had piston rings. Total spent, $54 after tax.

I expect to have the boat in the water tomorow. For a grand total of $554.

Good luck , but now no one knows your original "question"!

Two words come to mind, "We'll See!". And that is not a negative comment, it can be used after everything as life marches on and things get changed and used up.

No one here bets against you getting it on the water under that scenario. I hope you have good luck but will reserve some doubt about it being a good overall experience without more testing of the rest of the exhaust and cooling system. If you are re-using the exhaust you will be lucky if the exhaust manifolds and risers are not compromised from the same event(s) that cracked the block. As far as the cooling system test, you have to improvise some to isolate the block from the raw water cooling plumbing, but it sounds like you got a good deal on the newer engine anyway, I am just commenting about the test for any future reviewer's reference.

I hope you will return to post all the results PLUS everything you did and had to fix or replace so future searchers will get an accurate account of what to do or not to do and what to expect under each scenario. Honest postings can certainly help any future iboats search buddies and let them know what they may be in for and what to cling to or what to avoid.

As to the rest I believe this will be a running story as other compromised components manifest various symptoms. I have a feeling you will stick with it but I can also see there will be that one thing you will come up against that you will have to decide whether or not to continue to completion. If the boat is solid then this could end up being a nice ending. Most of these stories do not end up nice, so far yours sounds a bit different so all the best to you and your efforts (and wallet!).

 

[danond]

Re: My potential boat has a problem, cracked block?

Don't ask questions if you aren't prepared for answers you might not like.

Good luck with your boat.

 

[Handegard]

Re: My potential boat has a problem, cracked block?

Good luck , but now no one knows your original "question"!

Two words come to mind, "We'll See!". And that is not a negative comment, it can be used after everything as life marches on and things get changed and used up.

No one here bets against you getting it on the water under that scenario. I hope you have good luck but will reserve some doubt about it being a good overall experience without more testing of the rest of the exhaust and cooling system.

So far, so good. It runs on muffs and in water with only a leak from a loose hose clamp on the backside. I've got some light bulbs and a blower to replace, but I don't really see that as a hurdle. We won't do too much with it solo, we're planning to launch both boats this afternoon, and use my older one as a lifeboat/towboat as needed if anything comes up. We're hoping to get some tubing in today behind it....

Don't ask questions if you aren't prepared for answers you might not like.

Good luck with your boat.

I was prepared for responses to my question that I didn't like. Most of the responses I received were not a answer to my question, either good or bad.

Maybe it's me, but when I ask "My desk lamp doesn't turn on, do you think it's a bad bulb or is it unplugged?" I don't want to hear "throw it away" Only 1 or 2 people made a genuine effort to provide me with a response to the question.