Possible freeze damage

[Tail_Gunner]

Iv'e run across a boat that i can pick up quite cheap, but looking at this thing the owner just drained the exhaust manifold and not the lower block, is there any way to determine if the block has been cracked?

I guess i could try and pressure test the water system but would that actually work? I could also hook up a hose and just fire it up and let it get hot, but i am concerned that i might ruin any further potential the motor has.

The engine is a carbed 4.3 volvo 2003, as to the leg it seemed to be water free, testing to see if the power trim worked it did not release any water.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Possible freeze damage

I'd fire it up & see if it gets water in the oil.....
If it is cracked, the only parts that are worth salvaging are the ones that bolt on.....IMHO.....
+ it don't get that cold in Portland, does it?

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Possible freeze damage

We had a 3 day run or 28 degree's overnight...........It's priced so well im concerned.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Possible freeze damage

I'd still just run it......
If the cracked, it won't take long to find out....
28* might not be fatal if it warmed up a little during the day......
Figgers I'm in Portland & it's gotta rain.......:|

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Possible freeze damage

Haunt if your in town give me a call pmd

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Possible freeze damage

Just make sure your bargain is a bargain.28 degrees shouldn't hurt a block. But you won't know for certain until you do a lake test.

Hose pressure and actual running are two different things.

DHP

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Possible freeze damage

Just make sure your bargain is a bargain.28 degrees shouldn't hurt a block. But you won't know for certain until you do a lake test.

Hose pressure and actual running are two different things.

DHP

Ok now that i understand, so i heat it up and then how do i pressure it up with enough pressure to know what is going on?

 

[Don S]

Re: Possible freeze damage

See if this will help.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Possible freeze damage

I think you are being very optimistic about the temperatures here TG. We had a half a month where night temps often dropped into the low 20's. Also there was many a day where it barely warmed above freezing.

I'd hook the hose up, turn it on and listen for any water running in the bilge before you start it. If you detect water, don't start it. If you do start it and get water in the oil, get it drained out asap. Otherwise it will turn into a gel and take forever to ooze out.

BTW, we are supposed to compete on speed, not who has the most boats.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Possible freeze damage

The WellCraft is just fine, and you my fellow webfoot, Well yur a@@ is mine or mine is your's.........

That aside, thankyou Don for the diagram it will be most helpful.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Possible freeze damage

I could also hook up a hose and just fire it up and let it get hot, but i am concerned that i might ruin any further potential the motor has.

If you Check the Oil before you start,...
Fire it Up,+ run it for,...Say 5 minutes,... Shut it down,+ Check the Oil again....
If it's dropping Water into the Oil,.... It should be Clouding Up by then,+ the Level should be Higher.....

While it's Running,.....
You can crawl around the Bilge,+ Have a Look at Everything Else,.....
The 4.3ls tend to Crack in a horizontal line along the side of the block, just Under the Manifolds.....By the Core Plugs.....

If it's Dumping Water into the Oil,....
They tend to Split either in the Lifter Valley, or on the Inside of Block, on the oil-side of the above mentioned area.....
Best Case Frozen 4.3l is if Only the Intake Manifold Split under the T-Stat........

Btw,....... My Mentor always said that it takes 6hrs. at 28* to Crack a Block,........
I've never tried to Test that theory,...... I start Draining things Long before it gets to 32*...................

Good Luck with it,..... Sounds like you could come out of it Sweetly,......
Even with a Cracked Block,..... It's Probably worth a Pile of Money,....
If $old Piece by Piece on ebay............

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Possible freeze damage

TG, you have a PM.......JK