I NEED EVERYONES HELP PLEASE !!!!!!!

[BAKER]

OK so I am retarded. I will accept it. Hang on here it comes. This past winter I do like I always do and opened the drain valves for the water on my block. I have a Rinker Captiva 232 with the 454 engine. Well Lets just say I now know there are 4 valves not 2. Needless to say my block cracked. Real bad. So I need some help findind a 454 marine block. I have searched all over the internet and have alot of options at a high dollar amount. I know this has happened to other people what did you do? Any good places to deal with before I spend 4 to 5 thousand dollars? Everything else on the engine looks good, heads ok. The block just is really badly cracked. Please help if you can. Also I understand the differences in a MARINE engine compared to a car engine but does it really matter? Whats your opinion?

THANKS everyone,
BAKER

[Babyboomer]

http://www.jasperengines.com/marine-engines.htm

Also Read This
http://www.boatfix.com/how/marineeng.html

[Need-the-Speed]

One of my buddies drove three hours to look at a boat that was in "great" shape.   He gets there and ask to put the boat on the hose to see it run.   He looks in the engine comp. and sees water gushing/spraying out of the block.   The owner looked in and told him he could have the boat for $1000......a $6500 drop from his orig. asking price of $7500.   My buddy drags it home.  I check the oil....looks great.   He ends up grinding the 5" crack down a bit and slaps JB Weld on the thing.  50 hours later she's still puring like a kitten...with the same JB weld!!!   I just shake my head.   The 26 foot boat included a aluminium triple axle trailer.   
He got very lucky and only cracked a outermost cooling vein.   Maybe you could have done the same.

[BAKER]

Ya he was lucky. Someone told me I could also try that but I have some pretty good cracks. Not just 1 little one. I also understand that there isnt much pressure inside the water system to cause issues. I issue is I dont want to be out in the middle of no where where it finally decides to go. Your friend was lucky thats for sure.

[Capt Ron]

The expensive stuff like crank and rods should be still good... do a block change with new pistons and cam, lifters. Reuse the heads, intake manifold and carb setup provided they aren't cracked too. May not be as bad, call Merc for their opinion.

[BAKER]

I think that is the way I am going to go Capt Ron. My issue now is trying to find just the block. I called everybody and Chevy/GM dealers. No one says they can get just the block. I even called engine machine shops and they said they had no idea where to get them. If Im going to do the block I want a marine block no a reular vehicle block. Im pretty sure the heads are ok but I will send them to a machine shop to have checked before I reuse them. I think I will do the rebuild if I can just find the block.

[Capt Ron]

I believe Merc sells short blocks... that's just the crank, rod pistons and cam. Maybe they will take your components on a trade in??? Just an idea. The other thing you can do is buy an older boat and salvage the engine from it and throw the rest away.

[DaleM]

Check with Bob at www.fullthrottlemarine.com.  Real good guy, he might be able to help you out.  If nothing there check with the guys at www.midwestboatparty.com or www.powerboatparty.com.  Many of them are always upgrading something and someone may have what you're looking for readily available.  Good luck.

[BAKER]

Thanks All for your help. I am still trying to figure it out. I would like to replace it before I deploy to Iraq in November. I cant miss the summer. Im still looking if anyone has any ideas please post.

THANKS AGAIN!!!!!

Baker.

[capt bob]

Deffinetly stay with a marine block.   If you have or know a lot off go fast boats check with them, just look at the blocks real good.  Then if that fails look for an old junker boat and rebuild the engine.   Good Luck and have a good tour in Iraq.

[BCB]

Jasper Engine Exchange, Jasper, IN, does all types of long and short blocks.  I just don't know if there do marine.  Worth an email or call.   Good luck...

[Gene]

Just winterized my 232 454 and found out even if you pull the four plugs you need to pull the plugs and be sure water runs out of them until flowing good and fast and clean. I have had no water come out at times unless you dislodge crud from the plug hole with a small rod or screwdriver. be sure to take off the lowest sea water pump hose as well because it will hold another 1/2 gallon of water or so. I know Jasper sells marine engines, I think at 4-5 k its a good deal. You wont ever find a bare block and your engine is no good as a core if its cracked so be prepared to have to cough up the core charge as well. Sorry to hear about the misfortune.

[stfntgs]

<extreme.marine@yahoo.com email them. They just quoted me $1650 for a 5.7 350 MPI!

[pepmyster]

Just read the post. Talk about a way to start your summer! Sorry to hear that, Just a question....doesn't your insurance company cover such things as this?

[stfntgs]

P.S. that was a new motor.