I have a 1995 Sea Ray Bowrider with a Mercruiser 3.0. Unfortunately the engine block is cracked through the water jacket. The engine runs fine and there does not appear to be water leakage into the oil, so I think the water is just leaking externally into the bildge. I can run the boat as long as I keep the bildge pump running. There are two horizontal cracks about 3 inches long in the block on the intake/exhaust manifold side of the engine. A friend suggested that I might be able to repair the cracks using Lock N Stitch, which is a product designed to replace the cracked section of the block by drilling and inserting specially designed steel pins.
I have fairly direct access to the cracked areas of the block after removing the intake/exhaust manifold. I believe I can make this repair with the engine still in the boat since the drilling and tapping debris would flush out with the cooling water when the engine starts. Has anyone had experience with Lock N Stitch? It appears it's either this approach or replace the engine.
I have fairly direct access to the cracked areas of the block after removing the intake/exhaust manifold. I believe I can make this repair with the engine still in the boat since the drilling and tapping debris would flush out with the cooling water when the engine starts. Has anyone had experience with Lock N Stitch? It appears it's either this approach or replace the engine.
