Marine Engine Block Freezing
Marine Engine Block Freezing
(OP)
A friend of mine had a marine engine, 351 Ford Windsor, freeze up due to not being winterized. Only one freeze plug popped out, so the concern is that the block is cracked. Where would cracking be most likely to occur so that the suspect area can be mag particle inspected?





RE: Marine Engine Block Freezing
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Marine Engine Block Freezing
Why can't you just put a new plug in it and pressure check it as is?
RE: Marine Engine Block Freezing
Good luck,
Grnegg
RE: Marine Engine Block Freezing
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Marine Engine Block Freezing
As for weak spots - I would think it depends quite a lot on the age of the engine. I am not a Ford expert but almost all US V8's went on a diet in the mid 70's. If it is an old block it may be OK.
RE: Marine Engine Block Freezing
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Marine Engine Block Freezing
RE: Marine Engine Block Freezing
RE: Marine Engine Block Freezing
Good luck I hope the solution is the low cost one.
RE: Marine Engine Block Freezing
When younger I worked in scrap yard for 7 years and seen a lot of cracked blocks. They can crack anywhere and the "core plugs" do next to nothing.
The core plugs are put there in strategic points for removal of the casting material and they are not put in areas that would protect the device from freezing.
The power of ice is phenomenal and the elasticity of cast is not so good.
Sorry to say that if it were my boat I would replace it for my peice of mind. I mean, how could ice expand in such a way that it pops out a core plug and not weaken the cast block.
A lot of course depends on how your friends boat is used.
River use?? (Need a dependable engine)
Fishing use in small lake with a small second engine (dependability not that much of a factor)
Does the boat have just the one engine or two?
Just my opinion