cracked engine block

[DOWNANDOUT]

I have a Mercruiser 165 hp (GM250 cid) inline 6 cylinder with a busted block and have really gotten in too far with other repairs to back out. I also have an 11 year daughter that has helped a LOT in getting this boat ready to go into the water and is heart set on seeing a completion. i.e. as stated earlier I really can't scrap this effort.

I would appreciate any recommendations on how to go about repowering this boat. Can/should I just get a bare automotive 250 block and put all the existing marine parts into a bare casting? The existing engine/components all work good Except for the little annoying fact that water is leaking into and out of the engine.

Any recommendation on finding a used engine or reman engine would be VERY much appreciated

 

[achris]

Re: cracked engine block

Many trucks use that engine... But finding an engine isn't the hard part. Finding one with the right mounting points on it is... You need a block that has the mounting points cast into the front of it.

The other option, depending on where the crack is, is to repair it. Couple of techniques come to mind. Either stitch it or cold weld it....

Chris.......

 

[Fishermark]

Re: cracked engine block

I also have an 11 year daughter that has helped a LOT in getting this boat ready to go into the water and is heart set on seeing a completion.

Well, first of all. That's cool. Great to see your daughter involved.

Can/should I just get a bare automotive 250 block and put all the existing marine parts into a bare casting?

I've done a couple of these, and as mentioned above, the front casting is important.... but is not something that can't be worked around. Here's what I ended up doing on the last one that did not have the right mount casting: (Blocks of aluminum, some JB Weld, a drill, tap and die, a few bolts and you're good to go!)

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: cracked engine block

Most trucks have the 292 which is a taller deck block than your 250. Might wanna think about a 4.3 V6 swap. 'nutcase

 

[Fishermark]

Re: cracked engine block

Yeah - for simplicity and the wallet's sake, stick with the inline six.

 

[DOWNANDOUT]

Re: cracked engine block

Thanks for the input. Had heard folks talk about JB weld and it crossed my mind but
thought with water in the motor oil that this was not an option?? I'm kinda anal about not patching things, but trying to repair to original condition as closely as possible(an often expensive personal failing). Always seems if I take a short cut, it comes back to bite me.

 

[DOWNANDOUT]

Re: cracked engine block

Thank you for your time and input

 

[Fishermark]

Re: cracked engine block

Yeah, with water in the oil, forget the JB Weld. That works if the crack is external only.