early 90's J/E V6 lost foam casting block question

[bob johnson]

so since I have a few motors of the 60 degree looper configuration, I take a look at any thread I see concerning those. and over the years it seems many people have spoke of a weak casting spot in the block that cracks and left water into either the 1 cylinder or the 2 cylinder...or maybe both. I think I have heard it was only on the early years in the V6 versions. so since I have a line on an Intruder 150 from the 90s( don't know the year yet, the shop thinks it might be a 93) I want to ask what if any is the consensus of what years that problem got solved. I don't want to tear the motor apart and do a pressure test, and I don't want to gamble on a known issue..

was that defect corrected by 1993???

thanks

bob

 

[Faztbullet]

Hello Bob...No the defect still shows up even on the 2000 models but not as pronounced. Any 60 degree I build automatically get a block pressure test before any machine work. The flaw was not enough glue applied to foam casting when assembled so some will fail and some wont....sort of like never buy anything built on Monday or Friday

 

[jakedaawg]

As faztbullett says it really is just luck of the draw. We raced these things and some held some didn't. I have a v-8 that I believe is 1 of three made. It was made for the old second effort race team. One blew. One in museum. One buried in my shop. May be true story or I may have been fed a line.

 

[bob johnson]

do either one of you guys, or anyone else know if MARFAB is still in business.. the last post from their facebook page is 2012!!!!!!!! they phone rings busy instantly...

is there anyone else that refabs these blocks... I have two v6 blocks that have a bad #1 cylinder.... might just go the rebuild route to make sure I get a solid block......


bob

 

[Faztbullet]

MarFab is out of business ...but Jason that did all the block work has his own place in Sparta.Call him at 931-212-6277 and if he don't answer leave a message and he will call ya back. Tell him Alan told ya to call and he can repair/sleeve/test these blocks. I know he has several blocks up there as he got a shortblock 2 weeks ago from me

 

[bob johnson]

MarFab is out of business ...but Jason that did all the block work has his own place in Sparta.Call him at 931-212-6277 and if he don't answer leave a message and he will call ya back. Tell him Alan told ya to call and he can repair/sleeve/test these blocks. I know he has several blocks up there as he got a shortblock 2 weeks ago from me

ha, he says, you should give out his business #!!, he asked how I got his cell #!! ha ha ha ha...

thanks.

bob

 

[Faztbullet]

Just wanted to make sure you got in contact with him....
Jays Block Shop (Jason White).......931-808-0814 Sparta,Tn.

 

[bob johnson]

well I have stumbled upon a HUGE problem with my refurbish of the Johnson 60 degree looper 175!!

how on earth am I going to get those seed husks out of the bore?????????




bob

 

[jimmbo]

Shop vac, or invert it. However I think that would be the least of your problems. I do like the pic of the wrist pin/piston corpse. How did it manage to grenade the piston/con rod and leave the cylinder intact? Or was that precision machining done by your hammer and screwdriver/chisel in the picture?

Edit: I missed the damage at the lower cylinder wall

 

[bob johnson]

Shop vac, or invert it. However I think that would be the least of your problems. I do like the pic of the wrist pin/piston corpse. How did it manage to grenade the piston/con rod and leave the cylinder intact? Or was that precision machining done by your hammer and screwdriver/chisel in the picture?

Edit: I missed the damage at the lower cylinder wall

I saw the reeds crunched up... then I noticed the lower portion of the block missing....but with PIECES so small ...they probably would have migrated all over the inside of the motor......because it took a few rotations to pulverize that piston!! ha ha ha.......now I am onto the Intruder 150 hp power head...which still has an intact piston, but I can see ring dents all over the head and top of the piston....... The intruder had water seepage...so I am pretty sure it needs to get welded.....but Ill KNOW its done and trustworthy after I rebuild it


bob

 

[jimmbo]

Hmmm, 1 out of 6, things are looking up