Not all frozen blocks are junk

[ronrw2b2]

I have a 22' Cuddy Fiberform I picked up for $800.00. It has a 351w V8. The previous owner said the engine block was cracked because it had gotten frozen and three freeze plugs had popped out, one in the left head and two in the right side of the block. I pulled the engine and had a local shop tear it down and test it for cracks and it didn't have any, the freeze plugs worked like they should have. I had the engine rebuild for $2300.00. I'm close to finishing the restoration this summer.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,.... I moved yer post, as it was at the bottom of an antique thread,...

Please read, 'n follow our postin' rules, 'n guidelines,... Thank you,....

Ya sure got Lucky with that block,....

Core plugs ain't for freeze protection, but for removin' sand durin' the castin' process,...

 

[GA_Boater]

You should buy a lottery ticket cuz you are lucky! Even when core or casting plugs are pushed out, the trapped expanding ice can still break the block.

Make that two tickets.

 

[bruceb58]

Too bad you didn't just replace the plugs and then pressure test the block. Would have saved you a ton of money.

 

[gm280]

I have to agree with the previous comments. YOU are very lucky. And for the record, don't think you can get away with that same setup next winter. Winterize it the proper way because I don't think that luck will hold out again. JMHO!

 

[Scott Danforth]

First, they are core plugs for removing core sand during casting process. They were never intended to protect the block from freeze damage.

Second, go buy a bunch of lottery tickets. You are extremely lucky ( like you have better odds to win lottery than not have a damaged block)

 

[bajaunderground]

Freeze plugs...smeeze plugs...let us know when it's back on the water and have no issues...I've seen this before

Mod EDIT:
Magnafluxed would have been the best option when the block/heads/manifolds were off...now, use and pray! Watch the temperature gauge first few times, check oil during and after running her...if you check after sitting a while the oil will settle and if there's water it will separate on bottom...

 

[HT32BSX115]

Freeze plugs...smeeze plugs...let us know when it's back on the water and have no issues...I've seen this before

Yeah. I would still pressure check the block after it's all together.

Machine shops have been known to miss internal hairline cracks that open up when the engine is at operating temp. Just tearing it down and inspecting doesn't cut it.

Good luck, let us know how it all turns out!!

 

[Grub54891]

Same thing happened to my 140 mercruiser. Bought it for 200 bucks, pulled the motor, and replaced the core plugs. Had it on the lake the same day!!

 

[gm280]

Yeah. I would still pressure check the block after it's all together.

Machine shops have been known to miss internal hairline cracks that open up when the engine is at operating temp. Just tearing it down and inspecting doesn't cut it.

Good luck, let us know how it all turns out!!

HT, I am not saying it has never happened, because I am sure it has. But with today's technology with Magnaflux capabilities and such, it would be extremely hard to have a hairline crack get by. Yes an iffy machine shop could state they did a Magaflux check and not have done it. But good quality honest machine shops, and I feel most are these days, will catch such things easily. JMHO!

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Whether the core plugs save a block or not, depends on the weather,....

If there's a freeze, that cold enough to dislodge a core plug, but not cold enough for a Solid freeze,...
When it warms up, the water drains out, 'n the block might be saved,....

If it gets below freezin', 'n stays there, freezin' the block Solid,....
Nothin' is gonna save the block,....

 

[HT32BSX115]

HT, I am not saying it has never happened, because I am sure it has. But with today's technology with Magnaflux capabilities and such, it would be extremely hard to have a hairline crack get by.

You're right. But did they do a "good" magnaflux job? did they check every square inch of the water jacket? You simply won't know until running the engine once it's all reassembled and installed. (at great cost I might add...)

Pressure checking a block is probably one the easiest and quickest diagnostic tools we have when done before disassembly.

I would still want a block that I pressure checked, checked with the Magnaflux process however.....pressure checking doesn't check "deck" cracks or other cracks in machined surfaces.

 

[Maclin]

Freeze plugs...smeeze plugs...let us know when it's back on the water and have no issues...I've seen this before

^^^ What he said ^^^


Blocks can manifest unseen symptoms after getting them to run and stress them a bit, just sayin'