So our block cracked over the winter....

[thormx11]

Its a 1996 Century Arabian 24 with a 350 Mercruiser and alpha one outdrive. We were kind of planning to pull the engine out anyway and beef it up a little bit, and now when we started it we noticed water dripping out of the right side of the block just below the head.

My question is, will a regular 350 chevy truck engine of the same year/style work? We have about a dozen 350s laying around (none marine engines) and were thinking about pulling the engine, and sending it and a new truck block to a local engine shop to have him switch the blocks over, and use marine parts for the rest of the engine (distributor, starter, etc.)

Would this work? The engine is wide open and shouldn't take more than a few hours to pull.


Also, are there torque converter bolts that would have to be pulled out like on a vehicle? Would you access them through the starter hole? I know you cant reach under the engine to get them from the bottom.

 

[thumpar]

Re: So our block cracked over the winter....

You would want all the externals from the boat engine swapped plus core plugs switched to brass.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: So our block cracked over the winter....

You may want the cam out of the marine engine as well, as they are 'milder' than automotive cams. Not sure how they would compare to a truck engine cam, but if you can swap it, then no worries of too much valve overlap.

 

[thumpar]

Re: So our block cracked over the winter....

A truck cam is very very close to a marine cam. You could swap if you want but doesn't have to.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: So our block cracked over the winter....

There is no torque converter on the boat... There will be a "coupler" bolted to the flywheel, it has "female splines" which the splined shaft from the outdrive mate with. Remove the outdrive first then the engine is free to go... Of coarse the wires, hoses and cables to be removed first.

 

[thormx11]

Re: So our block cracked over the winter....

What kind of work goes into pulling the outdrive? Does it have to come out? There is a good foot that the engine could be slid forward to pull off the splined shaft.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: So our block cracked over the winter....

Since pulling the outdrive takes only about 5 minutes or so, it is best to get it out of the way. You can also check out a whole bunch of other stuff with the outdrive off.

a total of 8 bolts and it is all yours.

see the service manual for the particular setting that the shift linkage should be in prior to pulling the drive.

 

[thormx11]

Re: So our block cracked over the winter....

Is there a quick fix that may last through the summer?

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: So our block cracked over the winter....

Is there a quick fix that may last through the summer?

Yup. Pulling the engine, swapping the the accessories onto one of your truck blocks, and reinstalling. Shouldn't take more than a weekend.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: So our block cracked over the winter....

How does it run? The quick & dirty fix is if the crack is not under the exhaust manifold gasket you can marine-tex it. If the motor is special you could pull it out and stitch it, kind of a pain but that's how they save irreplaceable vintage blocks and castings. BTW you need loads of heat to weld a casting, so don't listen to anyone who claims it can be welded.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: So our block cracked over the winter....

What kind of work goes into pulling the outdrive? Does it have to come out? .

Achris from this forum removes an Alpha One drive in less than 5-minutes:
Removing an Alpha drive. - YouTube

 

[thormx11]

Re: So our block cracked over the winter....

The engine runs great, it is supposed to be a new engine that the previous owner had put in the boat when we bought it 2 years ago. I believe the crack is right under the manifold.

 

[slyoell]

Re: So our block cracked over the winter....

Call your insurance company,if it was winterized by a company, you may be covered and get a new one!