Head gasket? Cracked head?

[Lou C]

I'd be replacing the whole thing. That's a shame sorry to see that. If the block cracked like that, the heads would have as well. However you can take the heads and manifolds to a machine shop to get them checked out, can always keep as spares, or sell off and recover some $$. I'd see about getting a reman 4.3 from a local machine shop.

 

[Scott Danforth]

if the block cracked, your heads most likely cracked.

would have to have have heads tested.

 

[Scott06]

I would replace all of it including the manifolds. Not much cost diff between a short and long block .

 

[Zink357]

I found a crate long block for about $2k after core but they’re saying 6-8 weeks out so I’m going to jb weld the crack and put it back together and see if it’ll last until the new one gets here. Hopefully it doesn’t throw a rod bolt thru the hull and sink the boat if/when it blows lol.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Good luck, JB weld most likely wont hold

 

[Scott06]

I found a crate long block for about $2k after core but they’re saying 6-8 weeks out so I’m going to jb weld the crack and put it back together and see if it’ll last until the new one gets here. Hopefully it doesn’t throw a rod bolt thru the hull and sink the boat if/when it blows lol.

Did you look at michigan motorz re lead time?
i think you will be wasting your time jb welding that crack

 

[Zink357]

Did you look at michigan motorz re lead time?
i think you will be wasting your time jb welding that crack

Thanks for the lead. Just checked and they get about $1k more and they’re also over a month out.

Going to try the jb weld route only because it ran in this condition before winter. I’m pretty positive it was cracked when I bought it because the oil was milky right out of storage without ever turning the engine over. For it to be all mixed and milky like that I’m assuming it had to be running to mix it all together like that. It was full of antifreeze all winter so there’s no way it cracked from freezing over the winter. I was suspicious something wasn’t right because it’s on an 18’ runabout and topped out at 40mph empty. That light boat should do 50 easy in my opinion. Worst case is I waste a couple hours of my time and the cost of an intake gasket and jb weld.

 

[Zink357]

Just an update. I ground out the cracks and jb welded them. Started it up and ran it awhile on the hose. No issues. Had it out on the water 3 times since and it is running great. Still no water in the oil. Hopefully it lasts thru the summer and maybe will get a new engine ordered to replace it over the winter. Thanks again for the info everyone!