Crack in 6cyl inline 1970 165HP, next steps?

[YOBE]

Hi,
Working on a project boat with main focus now on the engine. To be clear: no information available on previous conditions, maintenance, ... And I have not started the engine before. Was stated that problem was a fuel-pump and it "should" run.
After advice from Scott I double checked for cracks about an inch below the head/block joint, under the manifold. And indeed ... :-( . I presume its from freezing coolingwater.
I can't see the crack as the exhaust manifold is covering it but I can see grey epoxy that has been aplied by previous owners in that area. So its clear that a crack occured and a fix was performed. Not able to judge if the fix is still holding or not and how severe the crack is.

As I dont know the condition of the engine, my next step was to measure the compression of the 6cyl. Hopefully this could give me some insight if it is worthwhile to further work on the engine or not. No intension to spend lots of money on it but would be nice to extend its life time a bit longer. With the excisting crack it will never become perfect again.

Any suggestions for next steps?

Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

the chevrolet 250 cubic inch motor was in a few hundred thousand boats between 1968 and 1984. however it was in millions and millions of 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton trucks between 1962 and 1984.

if you want to keep the inline, I would go the route of sourcing a non-busted and running truck motor, get a new manifold and elbow and go that route.

or with a minor change to the transom cut-out , drop in a late-model (post 1996) 4.3 / Alpha 1Gen 2 combo bought cheap from a rotting bayliner.

 

[Bondo]

As I dont know the condition of the engine, my next step was to measure the compression of the 6cyl.

Ayuh,...... So do yer compression test,.......
If that's acceptable, drain, 'n isolate the block's cooling passages, 'n pressurize to 10/ 15 psi, 'n listen,......
It the block is cracked/ leaking, you'll hear the air escaping, follow the sound of the noise to the crack,....

 

[Bt Doctur]

the crack happens from poor/no/improper winterizing. It is repairable by grinding a V in the crack, cleaning with Acetone and JB weld. Done correctly is will hold for many years

 

[YOBE]

Thanks for the feedback. It was indeed a USA boat but somehow got shipped to Europe. Finding a block like this here won’t be easy and probably expensive.
I will go with first testing the 10-15psi on the block.
@scott: also thanks for the input but the boat as such is really not worth it anymore to go that way. In Belgium I can barely use it 2-3months due to weather conditions here.

Thanks. Let’s see also compression testing