OMC Cobra 230 | 5.0V - Cracked Block (Fixed w/ JB Weld)

[rhelling]

I need some advice...

I'm "newbie" - new to boat ownership (not boating). I picked up a "fixer upper" to work on with my boys.

1987 Bayliner 2150 Ciera Sunbridge.
OMC Cobra 230 | 5.0V (...I think - I'm not much of an engine guy - but I'm learning!)

The guy I bought it from told me it needed work, so I'm fine with it. It's a good project for my boys and I. The boat's exterior, trailer, etc. are in good shape. The interior needs a little work (upholstery, etc.). But before I get too involved with some of the misc. interior stuff...I wanted to tackle the engine.

I cleaned up the engine compartment, replaced the gear grease, oil and spark plugs. I attached a new battery and the garden hose...and she started up with little effort. Sounded good. I ran her for around 5 minutes and didn't notice any leaks, etc. BUT...at the end of the 5 minutes, I noticed a little light smoke coming from both sides...like she was running hot. The temperature gauge looked fine, oil pressure was fine....so I turned it off. I let is cool for 20min (...it was still hot after 20 min?!?)...and poked around to see if I could see anything fishy...but keep in mind I'm an architect, not a mechanic. ;-)

I noticed that the previous owner fixed a cracked block with JB Weld. I typically would think, "I got screwed"...but I picked it up for practically nothing and I knew it was a "fixer upper". So, I'm fine with dealing with it. So, the question(s) I'm faced with (...and I'm looking for some experienced advice/recommendations) are:

a) Is that light smoke a BIG issue? (...or is that common for something minor?)
b) Can JB Weld work? (...I know this question is highly debatable! I guess I'm asking more, "...what are my risks"? ...could I use it for a season like this?)
c) What is the general cost to fix a cracked block? (...$500? ...$3000?)

Thanks.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Where is this JB weld? are you sure it's the block? not the exhaust manifold or something. (pics?)
normally where a 5.0 will crack first and worst is in the lifter are under the intake (not visible)..The way to proceed is to pressure test the cooling system and/or look for evidence of water in the oil.
A chevy small block v8 of late 80's vintage is not worth patching. It is a common truck engine.

 

[rhelling]

Hmmm...I attached (2) pictures. One shows the JB Weld...under the spark plugs. Excuse the ignorance...I have no idea if that's the exhaust manifold?!? I did check the oil...it looks fine. I'm not sure how to pressure test the cooling system, but I just found something fishy with the "water" hose...so that might be the heating up issue?!?

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...es/8340158-omc-cobra-230-|-5-0v-water-cooling

...and, if I hear you correctly...you're thinking I could find a new block pretty easily?!?

Thx.

 

[rhelling]

Here are the pics...

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

I see one low res pic of an engine about 9 feet away.

That's your power steering cooler in the other thread.

 

[rhelling]

Trying to post a picture again...

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

I know what I'd be doing. Pressure test cooling system, or run it for a while in the lake or on muffs. Check for milky engine oil, or... Let it sit for 2 or 3 hours. Remove drain plug from bottom of oil pan and see if water sitting on bottom. (oil floats on water)
Hard to say what previous owner slathered over there. But that isn't the first place those engines crack. The main issue will be under the intake manifold in near the lifters.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

but before I did that or anything mechanical, I'd be cutting holes in the florr under seat bases etc to look at flooring, floatation foam, stringers if possible. And taking an ice pick to wood in the transom and anywhere else I can access. Most 87 Bayliner hulls with carpet over plywood do not make it to 2014 in seaworthy condition unless stored indoors year round.
Lots of evidence of neglect on that unit. Don't fix the horse if the wagon is rotten.