Found Hairline Crack in Block

[gregmsr]

Last year after buying this 89 Capri w/ Force 125 (1251X9D) I noticed someone had "fixed" the block with JB Weld in the area of bottom cylinder wall on starboard side, about 2"down from head. "CRAP" I said. I didn't notice the fix until a month after the purchase. Well, compression check was good (125psi) 130+- on the rest so no big deal and runs good. BUT, now I noticed while winterizing yesterday and running in a tank, I saw a small "bead" of water ooozzzzing from a 1/2" hairline crack in the area of the JB weld. All the plugs look the same so I don't think water is getting into the cylinder.
My question (Frank/Roscoe), How alarmed should I be? Can this crack be welded? Will it migrate if left as is? More JB Weld a fix?
CRAP!

 

[steelespike]

Re: Found Hairline Crack in Block

If it was mine I would keep an eye on the crack.If it is not growing don't borrow trouble.Typically you would drill a small hole at the end of the crack to stop it.If you think it is growing you might try it and then some more JBweld Nothing to lose worse that happens is you see if someone can weld
later.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Found Hairline Crack in Block

It can be welded but that's a pain in the a**. since there is not a lot of water pressure in these jackets, I would first drill a small hole at each end of the crack to stop migration, then I would grind a small v in the surface of the crack to widen it and get the glue into it. Sand or grind off all paint in the area of the crack to give the JB a good surface to bond to then re-JB it.

Several years ago I reluctantly used JB on a Mariner block rebuild that the owner did not want to weld. --Putting in new piston and thrown rod, why not repair the crack properly and permanently with welding while the engine was apart?-- However, As far as I know, it is still functional. Useful stuff, that JB.

 

[gregmsr]

Re: Found Hairline Crack in Block

Yea, I spoke with a local welding guy and he said same thing, hard to weld/heat around seals, etc. I will do the JB thing in the spring. Drilling hole thing to stop crack has me worried. Don't want to drill into cylinder wall. How deep to drill? Just through outer wall of jacket, hope I can stop in time!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Found Hairline Crack in Block

Not being able to see the crack and location, it's hard for me to say. Sounds like the crack is vertical, so: If the ends of the crack are within the water jacket then by all means drill it--small hole 1/16 - 3/32 or so. There is always a concentration of stress on the ends of a crack and because of this, they TEND to lengthen--not an absolute certainty--. Drilling a small hole at the end of the crack certainly weakens the metal a little, but it spreads the stress so that the crack in all likelyhood will not spread. So, in this case, the benefit outweighs the risk.

At any rate, you would drill to the depth of the crack- if it goes into the water jacket--and in this case it does because it is leaking--then drill into the jacket and let the JB seal it up. Easiest to tell if you remove the head, but a good estimate is that the water jacket ends about 1/2 inch rearward (toward the head) of the bypass cover. At 2 inches back from the head, it sounds like the crack is at or near the bottom of the water jacket.

If the crack has migrated into the portion that is actually the bottom of the cylinder (actually the middle because the bypass and exhaust ports are below the water jacket) Then don't drill that portion but still groove the crack and clean the surrounding area before applying JB.

At this point, it's a judgement call on your part.

If you feel uncomfortable drilling, then by all means don't. The crack may not migrate anyway. Just keep inspecting it; If it starts to grow, then drill and re-glue because at that point you have nothing to lose.

 

[jerrywelds]

Re: Found Hairline Crack in Block

I agree with frank, drilling is the best way when trying to stop a crack from spreading and before welding. If the drill isnt for you use a dremmel gouge deep at each end and try to grind out the crack a little and fill. they have some really high tec epoxys out there that are much better than jb and belive me i love jb. Just a suggestion.

 

[gregmsr]

Re: Found Hairline Crack in Block

The crack is about 1/2" long and stops about 1" down from cylinder head gasket. A very fine crack and can barely see it. I would feel better drilling to try and stop the possible migration.
Thanks for the replys. I have all winter to think.

 

[gregmsr]

Re: Found Hairline Crack in Block

I agree with frank, drilling is the best way when trying to stop a crack from spreading and before welding. If the drill isnt for you use a dremmel gouge deep at each end and try to grind out the crack a little and fill. they have some really high tec epoxys out there that are much better than jb and belive me i love jb. Just a suggestion.

Ok i'm ready to tackle this one. Has anyone tried using the "putty type" (cut off a small piece, roll it around to activate, two part stuff, from Wally World). Forgot the name. Anyway, the crack being on a vertical surface, it seems the JB Weld would be hard to apply (run and sag). The putty type epoxy, you could roll up a small bead and press it in the v'd out crack. The package states can be used for engine cracks. Anyone tried this stuff?
(I think I remember a similar thread on this subject somewhere)

Yea, I'm going through the pre-season "freak out mode".

 

[newbie4life]

Re: Found Hairline Crack in Block

Is it possible to trim the engine a little bit, to get it to set in the crack a bit better? JB sets up pretty fast -- usually don't have to worry about the running/sagging thing.

Otherwise, I'd be tempted to fill the crack, then put some masking tape over it, to hold it in for a little while. I've had great luck with JB. I've used it for everything. My mom even has a kettle that my grandpa fixed for her -- probably around 30 years ago. She still uses it.

I don't know of the putty your talking about -- other than plumber's epoxy -- If it says JB on it, I wouldn't be afraid to try it. However, I hate buying anything from Wal-crap.

 

[gregmsr]

Re: Found Hairline Crack in Block

I'm probably over reacting but I need to think this through before the "attempt". I don't want a big mess and have to do it again. I've used JB once or twice and can't really remember the consistancy. Messy stuff I do remember. The actual application, maybe I could put a small amount in the corner of a small envelope, cut the corner off 1/8th inch and squeeze a bead in the crack. Yea, thats the ticket!
Yea, JB probably the way to go.

 

[sweezy722]

Re: Found Hairline Crack in Block

The Wal-Mart putty I use is Quick Steel. I have used Quick Steel and JB Weld and the Quick Steel is twice as good as JB weld and is completely cured in minutes - not hours. I busted a chunk out of my propeller shaft bearing carrier a year ago and filled it full of Quick Steel until I could get one ordered. I still have not ordered one but did sand the repair and paint it. It was only $5.00 and some time. I carry it in my boat and truck.

 

[rudedude]

Re: Found Hairline Crack in Block

JB has a Quick Weld also. I have used the putty stuff and dont care for it,maybe due to the fack I have had great rewards with JB Weld.
A hair dryer will be a great help as far as setting the JB fast to avoid sags.

 

[gregmsr]

Re: Found Hairline Crack in Block

I trust JB Weld also, and probably what I'll use. I looked for the crack yesterday but will have to run motor to find it again. Soon as I get the LU back on. I had a bolt missing and found the threads were stripped. Have to re-tap the lonely 7th bolt hole under the exhaust snout.
Speaking of lower units, mine had been changed out to a newer year by someone before me. Now I have no idea what year. These numbers were cast in the unit: RW694054 Any idea what year, anyone? Trying to chase it down but no luck so far. Any recommended sites to search for this?

 

[azlakes]

Re: Found Hairline Crack in Block

try e-mailing or talking to Bill Kelly at this site. "http://www.mastertechmarine.com/"

good luck!

 

[rudedude]

Re: Found Hairline Crack in Block

Bill is a great guy and very helpful.