83 mercruser 140hp cracked block help?

[DrWiffel]

I just bought a boat from a guy (before coming here). The guy said that nothing was wrong with the engine, and just that the floor and seats need a little work. So I go out there, it was still cold out so we didn't hook up the water but I still wanted to hear it turn over. Visually looked over the engine checked the oil, didn't see anything wrong, engine sounded like it was going to pop off so I thought I was fine. Today I started getting it readyb for summer, hooked up the water. Started fine but was running really ruff. I turn it off started looking around making sure water was coming out. It was, but out the side of the engine.

So I call the guy, he isn't going to help me out or take the POS back. Should I try to take him to small claims or just fix it?

Do I have ground to stand on in small claims?

Does any one know of a car engine that's the same thing, and should I be looking at other possiable problems (if so what are they?)?

I do have access to a larger mercruser engine a 6 cylinder (not sure on the size but somewhere around 160hp and its a 78). Should I think about moving to a larger engine? And how muxh harder would that be then flat out rebuilding the 140? I still have to do the floor, so I can move the engine mounts if I have to. Does anyone know if it would fit my out drive?

I'm kind of a do it yourselfer.

I did search a little but couldn't really find what I was looking for. And I'm only on a cell phone. Any help you can give would be great even if it's just links. Sorry for any spelling errors.... hard to do on the phone but will be using the computer when I go to work in the morning

Thanks,
Jon

 

[tractoman]

Re: 83 mercruser 140hp cracked block help?

How much do you plan on putting into this boat? I wouldn't mess with a larger engine. The engine cover won't fit and you'll need a whole lot of other parts too. You could go with a new short block if the head is good. Where is the water coming out? The block or the exhaust manifold somewhere. I hate to say it but unless you got a written guarantee of some sort from the guy, you haven't a chance in small claims.
Go to the adults only section and get the manual for the engine you have and start reading. It will atleast provide alot of information to get an idea what you have on your hands. There are also alot of other good tips for checking different marine components. Do a search for cracked block and see what others have experienced.
The PO probably didn't winterize it and cracked the block like a dumb*****.
Good luck.

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: 83 mercruser 140hp cracked block help?

How much did you pay for the boat? I have some experience fixing crappy boats and let me tell you, that if that boat is anything like what I am thinking, then the engine was the best thing it had going. You might be better off parting it out and cutting your losses. I hate to rub it in, but you always gotta take it out for a full sea trial before buying. If thats not possible and you know why, then run it with muffs, and check compression.
If your dead set on repairing it, I would get a short block assuming that the block is cracked.

If you just had to put cosmetics into the boat and fix the floor, and drop in a short block without having to replace controls, without finding you need to rebuild the outdrive,get new controls, etc..... it might............might not be a bad idea.

 

[cr2k]

Re: 83 mercruser 140hp cracked block help?

The only hope you have against the other guy is if he had taken it somewhere and was told the block is cracked and you can find them and get a copy of the invoice.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 83 mercruser 140hp cracked block help?

Do I have ground to stand on in small claims?

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,... This is a Boating/ repair forum not a Legal Advice forum...
That said,... Even our currency states, "Buyer Beware"...

Does any one know of a car engine that's the same thing,

There are None...

I do have access to a larger mercruser engine a 6 cylinder (not sure on the size but somewhere around 160hp and its a 78).

Yes, it's the Big sister to the cracked motor,+ can be made to fit...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 83 mercruser 140hp cracked block help?

I will suggest this one more time. Depending on where the crack is and how big it is, and how handy you are, external cracks can sometimes be successfully sealed with an external plate. In the good old days of non-pressurized cooling systems this was done alot. In fact I've seen it done on a tractor engine that had stuck a rod right through the side of the engine creating a hole about the size of a cigarette pack. Be aware that it if the crack is in an area that is very irregular you probably don't stand a chance. If this area is not a compound curve you can shape the plate to match that area. So -- grind the area smooth about one in all the way around the crack. Cut a 3/32 inch thick steel plate at least one inch wider than the crack. Using gasket material, cut a gasket the same shape as the plate. Now drill two holes on opposite ends of the plate for a 1/4 inch cap screw. DO NOT drill in the area of the crack. The idea is to seal the crack by bolting the plate and gasket over it. Hold the plate over the crack and mark the block where the hole will be drilled. Using the proper size tap drill, drill the top hole and tap it for the cap screw. Loosely install the plate and mark the bottom hole. Tap drill and then tap the bottom hole. Now carefully drill additional mounting screw holes around the remainder of the plate about an inch apart. Mark those holes on the block and then drill and tap those. Punch the holes int he gasket matching those in the plate. Cover the gasket with sealant and bolt on the plate using sealant on the bolt threads as they will be into the water jacket. Go boating. Depending on the quality of your work and ability, this may even work on closed systems.

 

[DrWiffel]

Re: 83 mercruser 140hp cracked block help?

Thanks for all the replies!

I obviously paid too much for the boat ($1,300). And defiantly did not by it for the condition of the interior. Originally I was planning on just doing a reupholster and a decking job, but now it has turned into a almost scrap-it project. I was thinking because all the money I have into it already that it may be worth fixing. I kind of like Bubba?s Idea and just doing a quick fix for a temporary fix, until I can find another block, and turn it into a winter project maybe. I know the boat?s not worth putting the money into it, but I guess it would definitely be my boat after the projects complete?

How would you prep the block for some JB welding repair?

Here are the pictures of what I?m working with. Comments welcome.

Thanks,
Jon

 

[Bondo]

Re: 83 mercruser 140hp cracked block help?

Ayuh,... I'd pull the manifold 1st, it's also cracked on the underside...
Then just sand everything,+ wad some epoxy to it...
As long as it ain't cracked into the oil cavity, it'll run til the dogs come home...

 

[fishrdan]

Re: 83 mercruser 140hp cracked block help?

The manifold is cracked too....

As suggested, I'd JB weld the cracks to see if the engine/drive runs, take it out on the lake and see if there are other problems with the boat (outdrive) and then take it from there.

I wouldn't sink much money into the boat until you find out if there are more problems. It might be better to cut your losses, part out the boat and find a better candidate for a rebuild.

 

[fishinpa]

Re: 83 mercruser 140hp cracked block help?

As Bond-o said, sand it down to bare metal. I like to finish the prep with a wire brush to remove any silica left behind from sanding it. One other thing, I would drill a small (1/16") hole at each end of the crack to prevent it from ever spreading.
I know it's a cheap fix but if it holds it may well last the life of the engine. Looking at the photos it doesn't look that bad, Iv'e seen much worse repaired this way with excellent results.

Fully agree and this step would be highly recomended for any crack !

fish

 

[DrWiffel]

Re: 83 mercruser 140hp cracked block help?

It appears that JB Welding is the way to go about it. When you guys say remove the manifold, are you referring to the intake manifold? And when I sand it down, what grit paper would be the best?

Sorry still kind of a newb.

I downloaded the manual for the engine, to have a better understanding of what I may be getting into. Do any of you know if someone that?s done the same thing and posted a step by step process with pictures? I don?t mean to ask the same questions that others may have already asked, so if you know of links or other threads that I should be referring to please let me know.

Thanks again for the info!
Jon

 

[dingdongs]

Re: 83 mercruser 140hp cracked block help?

you may want to look on you tube and under mercruiser manifolds it will give you a brief demo on v engines.even though it may not be a 3.0 litre the principles are similar.remember to isolate battery and fuel line and make safe first and no smoking.after removing carb/riser and xhaust boot together with throttle linkages your well on your way .Release i believe 7 bolts maybe a nut instead of and the manifold should pop off the gasket seal with a few strikes with a mallet etc.leave a long bolt in for safety at this point as manifold is very heavy.you can then get on with your jb welding process.maybe an idea to remove plugs and see if they r rusty inside of bore and do a compression test to eliminate any other catastrophic failings.GOOD LUCK

 

[DrWiffel]

Re: 83 mercruser 140hp cracked block help?

Thanks again!

Looks like I'll be starting on it this weekend. I do have access to a welder, would that be better then the jb weld? Or would the heat be an aditional concern?

Thanks,
Jon

 

[Bondo]

Re: 83 mercruser 140hp cracked block help?

I do have access to a welder, would that be better then the jb weld?

Nope,... Epoxy is Better...

 

[fishinpa]

Re: 83 mercruser 140hp cracked block help?

Yes use the JB weld and a small grinder wont hurt around the crack and just a little bit in the groove.Grinder makes it nice and porus so the jb sticks real good .
Do drill a small hole at each end of the crack as mentioned above.

Epoxy works great as well !

fish

 

[DrWiffel]

Re: 83 mercruser 140hp cracked block help?

Thanks again everybody! I checked out the you tube vid. Actually pretty good info there, and after looking at the manual it doesn't seem like it's going to be hard as what I was thinking. In light of having to take off the Manifold, I may have to wait a few weeks... Cash flow and time is starting to get a little tight and may have to wait a couple of weekends so I can get the new gaskets.

After removing the manifold just inspect the manifold and fill any cracks correct?

For drilling the 2 holes into the block, should I be drilling all the way through or just most of the way? If I go all the way wouldn't that put some shavings into the crank case motor? Or what's going to be behind the holes that I might have to look out for?

Thanks again,
Jon

 

[Bondo]

Re: 83 mercruser 140hp cracked block help?

For drilling the 2 holes into the block, should I be drilling all the way through or just most of the way? If I go all the way wouldn't that put some shavings into the crank case motor? Or what's going to be behind the holes that I might have to look out for?

Ayuh,... There are 2 thin walls where it cracked...
It's iron, water jacket, iron, then the oil cavity...

Drill through Only the outer layer...

 

[DrWiffel]

Re: 83 mercruser 140hp cracked block help?

Ha... glad I asked that one

 

[Bondo]

Re: 83 mercruser 140hp cracked block help?

Ha... glad I asked that one

Ayuh,... 'cause I won't be willing to accept the Blame when you drilled through the starboardside of the motor either...

Don always says, Never Assume Anything,...
My Bad... I always Assume the posters have atleast abit of Common Sense...:redface:

 

[DrWiffel]

Re: 83 mercruser 140hp cracked block help?

Ayuh,... 'cause I won't be willing to accept the Blame when you drilled through the starboardside of the motor either...

Don always says, Never Assume Anything,...
My Bad... I always Assume the posters have atleast abit of Common Sense...:redface:

I suppose after the first layer I would have been back up here asking, "uh..."

At least had the common sense to ask