Cold days in Fla.

[rowdyrebel]

Hey folks hope boating been good.
I have a 89 chaparral signature 23 w) a OMC drive & a 95-00 vortec gen 1 cast #10243880.
It got really cold in NWF last week and I forgot to pull the motor water drain plugs. "IT CRACKED the BLOCK"
I'm so sad just rebuilt it last winter got to use it for 46 hour last summer
Will the motor above motor interchange w) a 95 vortec truck block? are they the same?
And do you think I can put the new stuff from this my motor in another block? crank, cam, pistons, heads ext.

It only has 46 hours on it
I appreciate all the help in advance folks.
Got till my b-day 5-21-14 fix it. lol thanx

 

[Bondo]

Re: Cold days in Fla.

Hey folks hope boating been good.
I have a 89 chaparral signature 23 w) a 95-00 vortec gen 1 cast #10243880.
It got really cold in NWF last week and I forgot to pull the motor water drain plugs. "IT CRACKED the BLOCK"
I'm so sad just rebuilt it last winter got to use it for 46 hour last summer
Will the motor above motor interchange w) a 95 vortec truck block? are they the same?
And do you think I can put the new stuff from this my motor in another block? crank, cam, pistons, heads ext.

It only has 46 hours on it
I appreciate all the help in advance folks.
Got till my b-day 5-21-14 fix it. lol thanx

Ayuh,.... That $uck$,....

Ya, the blocks should be the same, or atleast interchangeable anyways,...
I believe the time window for the block ya need runs from '87 to current,...
Depends on Exactly what ya got in the block now,...

You'd need whatever block ya get machined to the spec's of yer rotatin' assembly to reuse it,...

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Cold days in Fla.

You must live way inland for that to happen. Here on the coast we warmed up enough between freezes to keep that from happening.

 

[rowdyrebel]

Re: Cold days in Fla.

Holt fl. In the woods it's a ways from the coast.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Cold days in Fla.

pretty sure it's 87-95

make sure you have a 1 piece rear main seal for the above... If it's a 2 piece then you will need an 86 or older block
Oh and yeah everything will swap over barring overbore... you will need brass freeze plugs and stainless head gaskets

 

[rowdyrebel]

Re: Cold days in Fla.

Yes sir it has a 1pease seal.
Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: Cold days in Fla.

pretty sure it's 87-95

make sure you have a 1 piece rear main seal for the above... If it's a 2 piece then you will need an 86 or older block
Oh and yeah everything will swap over barring overbore... you will need brass freeze plugs and stainless head gaskets

Ayuh,... Only the Heads/intake changed in '96, not the blocks,...

 

[rowdyrebel]

Re: Cold days in Fla.

That's good to know thanx. Anybody got an idea where to find a gen 1 block, I've just started looking.

 

[81_chapparel194]

Re: Cold days in Fla.

NEVER re-use pistons or bearings from a used block to a used block. if either of the cylinders are worn egg shaped the slightest bit its disaster. square peg round hole scenario. why not buy a "short block" assembly?? just put your heads and intake and other accessories on it? 16+ years of automotive mechanic experience speaking

 

[Silverton34c]

Re: Cold days in Fla.

NEVER re-use pistons or bearings from a used block to a used block. if either of the cylinders are worn egg shaped the slightest bit its disaster. square peg round hole scenario. why not buy a "short block" assembly?? just put your heads and intake and other accessories on it? 16+ years of automotive mechanic experience speaking

agreed...short block and move your parts over...cheaper in the long run, you have basically a new motor, and will not have any hidden problems

 

[Bondo]

Re: Cold days in Fla.

NEVER re-use pistons or bearings from a used block to a used block. if either of the cylinders are worn egg shaped the slightest bit its disaster. square peg round hole scenario. why not buy a "short block" assembly?? just put your heads and intake and other accessories on it? 16+ years of automotive mechanic experience speaking

Ayuh,.... He just rebuild his frozen motor last years,...

While I agree, many measurements need to be done,...
But,...
IF All the measurements match his rotatin' assembly, there's really no reason not to use it,...
Chances are, whatever motor he buys will need machine work,...
It can easily be spec'ed to his rotatin' assembly,...

15 or so years ago, I bought my 4.3LX sittin' on a pallet, 'n it had been frozen, Cracks everywhere,...
It had less that 50 hours on it, Brand new, but cracked,...
I call My Machine Shop Guy, 'n he just happened to have the exact vintage 4.3l block outa a pickup,...
The pickup got totaled, with less than 10,000 miles on it,...
Andy did all the measurin' for me, 'n we decided a quick hone job was all it needed,...

A Bud, 'n I did the swap, 2 motors, on 2 engine stands,...
A few hours later, I had my 4.3LX runnin',....
Even used the original rod, 'n main bearings,... rings too,...
15 years, 'n 'bout 2000 hours ago,......

 

[81_chapparel194]

Re: Cold days in Fla.

Ayuh,.... He just rebuild his frozen motor last years,...

While I agree, many measurements need to be done,...
But,...
IF All the measurements match his rotatin' assembly, there's really no reason not to use it,...
Chances are, whatever motor he buys will need machine work,...
It can easily be spec'ed to his rotatin' assembly,...

15 or so years ago, I bought my 4.3LX sittin' on a pallet, 'n it had been frozen, Cracks everywhere,...
It had less that 50 hours on it, Brand new, but cracked,...
I call My Machine Shop Guy, 'n he just happened to have the exact vintage 4.3l block outa a pickup,...
The pickup got totaled, with less than 10,000 miles on it,...
Andy did all the measurin' for me, 'n we decided a quick hone job was all it needed,...

A Bud, 'n I did the swap, 2 motors, on 2 engine stands,...
A few hours later, I had my 4.3LX runnin',....
Even used the original rod, 'n main bearings,... rings too,...
15 years, 'n 'bout 2000 hours ago,......

well you got lucky. 50 hours of run time is enough time to wear a piston out of round if the rings never seated properly. but best case scenario just say they are all round perfect. what if the block he buys is bored .20 over? and he installs stock pistons but yet he doesn't know that because he's not a machinist and just puts it together?. yet the rings may still have enough pressure against the cylinder walls to not have any noticeable play, then he fires it up and ruins the block and pistons. now onto the bearings same scenario what if his crankshaft is turned .20 under std? he wont know this and just stick the crank assembly with bearings into the new used block journals.. way too many variables for me to even consider it with mechanic and machine shop experience, let alone a novice mechanic that's just gonna stuff used parts in a used engine.. not arguing or calling you wrong. you had a machine shop friend to spec everything out and you got lucky. he may not have the luck you had. in my professional opinion I suggest either a complete used engine or a remanufactured short block assembly. but now if he really wants to cut corners he could have his block welded at a reputable welding shop that welds cast iron.i would do that before I put used bearings/pistons into a used block. just my .02 cents that's maybe worth .01

 

[Bondo]

Re: Cold days in Fla.

well you got lucky. 50 hours of run time is enough time to wear a piston out of round if the rings never seated properly. but best case scenario just say they are all round perfect. what if the block he buys is bored .20 over? and he installs stock pistons but yet he doesn't know that because he's not a machinist and just puts it together?. yet the rings may still have enough pressure against the cylinder walls to not have any noticeable play, then he fires it up and ruins the block and pistons. now onto the bearings same scenario what if his crankshaft is turned .20 under std? he wont know this and just stick the crank assembly with bearings into the new used block journals.. way too many variables for me to even consider it with mechanic and machine shop experience, let alone a novice mechanic that's just gonna stuff used parts in a used engine.. not arguing or calling you wrong. you had a machine shop friend to spec everything out and you got lucky. he may not have the luck you had. in my professional opinion I suggest either a complete used engine or a remanufactured short block assembly. but now if he really wants to cut corners he could have his block welded at a reputable welding shop that welds cast iron.i would do that before I put used bearings/pistons into a used block. just my .02 cents that's maybe worth .01

Ayuh,.... I'm just sayin' that My life's experiences played out as I said,...

I'm pretty Handy, 'n Mechanic is part of my resume, I said, things need to be Measured,...
Even though I've got the tools to do such things, I know my limitations, hence, I hired Andy to spec the block he found,...

rowdyrebel doesn't say how deep his Rebuild went last winter, he may have gone the standard .030" over already,...
Either way, I did say machine work is probably necessary, so a Machinist probably will be involved,...

'n on the Weldin' thing,.... Welder is also a part of my resume,.... been there, done that,...
it ain't an answer, not with cast iron,...

I can weld cast iron, done a few exhaust manifolds, successfully,...
If ya weld up freeze cracked blocks, ya end up chasin' more, 'n more cracks,...
Even with heat control,...
Ya gotta slather epoxy over the welds to seal 'em up,...

It's Waayyy Better to just skip the weldin' altogether, 'n slap the epoxy to it,.....
Done that too,... Successfully,... outside of the block only, not in the oil cavities,...

 

[81_chapparel194]

Re: Cold days in Fla.

Ayuh,.... I'm just sayin' that My life's experiences played out as I said,...

I'm pretty Handy, 'n Mechanic is part of my resume, I said, things need to be Measured,...
Even though I've got the tools to do such things, I know my limitations, hence, I hired Andy to spec the block he found,...

rowdyrebel doesn't say how deep his Rebuild went last winter, he may have gone the standard .030" over already,...
Either way, I did say machine work is probably necessary, so a Machinist probably will be involved,...

'n on the Weldin' thing,.... Welder is also a part of my resume,.... been there, done that,...
it ain't an answer, not with cast iron,...

I can weld cast iron, done a few exhaust manifolds, successfully,...
If ya weld up freeze cracked blocks, ya end up chasin' more, 'n more cracks,...
Even with heat control,...
Ya gotta slather epoxy over the welds to seal 'em up,...

It's Waayyy Better to just skip the weldin' altogether, 'n slap the epoxy to it,.....
Done that too,... Successfully,... outside of the block only, not in the oil cavities,...

I do agree welding cast iron that has cracked is tricky, a 1 inch split turns into a 8 inch split quickly. but that was my point that I would trust that before doing what he is wanting to do, but hey its his to try his luck at. theres a possibility that it will work, but the odds are slim and I wouldn't want him or anyone to feel ill towards me for recommending it.

 

[boobie]

Re: Cold days in Fla.

Where did it crack at ?? Do you have water in your oil ??

 

[rowdyrebel]

Re: Cold days in Fla.

Its cracked on both sides between the freeze plugs.
It wasn't milky after running it. And to those other folks used thr same pistons, piston bore standard crank ground. . 010, new rings, all new bearings, rebuilt heads, new marine seals runs great!!! Geuss that's rebuilt right?

 

[boobie]

Re: Cold days in Fla.

Rowdy, you have a PM.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Cold days in Fla.

Its cracked on both sides between the freeze plugs.
It wasn't milky after running it. And to those other folks used thr same pistons, piston bore standard crank ground. . 010, new rings, all new bearings, rebuilt heads, new marine seals runs great!!! Geuss that's rebuilt right?

Ayuh,.... I'd call that a Refresh, rather than a rebuild myself,.... especially with the original pistons,...

Anyways,....
If it's leakin' Only to the outside, 'n No water is gettin' into the oil,...
Sand/ grind the area of the cracks, 'n epoxy/ glass it up,....
You've really got nothin' to loose by epoxyin' it closed, 'n runnin' it til she pukes,...

 

[Lou C]

Re: Cold days in Fla.

This is why I say, that all inboards should be running the way Ed Cole (GM head engineer for the Chevy small block) and GM intended em to...closed cooled at least a half system...not a mess of raw water with corrosion and freezing to worry about. I know that fresh water boaters might not see the need, but there is no way I'd ever install a new engine, or a good one from a vehicle that wasn't rusted inside, and leave it raw water cooled.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Cold days in Fla.

there is no way I'd ever install a new engine, or a good one from a vehicle that wasn't rusted inside, and leave it raw water cooled.

Ditto.