Signs Of A Cracked Block?

[BigBrakeFuelie]

I was hoping some of you fellow shark owners could tell me what are the signs that your block is cracked?
Loss of Power?
Smoke?
Water in your oil?
coolant leaking from where?right under the engine?

I hope it`s the water pump!

 

[ChuckG]

Depends on where it's cracked Seriously, if it's cracked through a water jacket, externally....you'll leak water out of the block along the crack. If it's internal, you'll have water in a cylinder, and you'll be blowing white smoke and steam out of one bank of cylinders. Most other cracks, other than water jackets, are "traumatic"....throw a rod...break a crankshaft, etc. If you throw a rod...through the block, you'll know it If you have a water leak near the front of the engine, it's likely the water pump or maybe a radiator hose or thermostat housing. Chuck

 

[cruzer99]

What leads you to think you have a cracked block?
Overheated, overreved, etc. GM blocks are petty tough and take a lot to do that kind of damage but it does happen.
I would agree with BigBrakeFuelie as to a water pump or hose (rad or heater hose).
One thing to look for is take the rad cap off (when it's cool), and start the engine, let it warm up so that the thermostat opens and see if you have lots of bubbling in the rad.

 

[BigBrakeFuelie]

Yeah my engine is through,it`s O.K. though cause now I can get that crate engine I`ve been wanting but the wife wouldn`t go for.She kept bringing up this thing priorities whatever they are.

 

[ChuckG]

If I'm reading your post correctly, did you discover that your block is cracked? Your "leak" was not the water pump/hose, etc.? What happened to it? Chuck

 

[DDLS3]

Are you sure? Cracked blocks are quite rare. Could it be a head gasket, cracked head, pushed out or rotted out freeze plug, or a leaking sending unit? Lots of possibilities.........

 

[sscam69]

Don't worry about

just tell your wife that the block is cracked and you need to replace it.

wether its cracked or not now you have the opportunity to drop in a zz crate :L

 

[BigBrakeFuelie]

SSCam69-Exactly my line of thinking!
No the block was not cracked.I just crawled underneath and adjusted the lower radiator hose.I misjudged where the leak was.But I did take it to the shop to find out why my engine light was coming on.They did a test and found that cylinder #5 was dead and 8 was dying.My cam is just worn.So now`s my chance to get the performance I`ve wanted.
I keep you guys tuned in on what I drop in this puppy.thanks.

 

[vigman]

Ooooh Ohhhhh

Are you going to sell the engine?


Vig!

 

[BigBrakeFuelie]

I haven`t really thought about it.I don`t know who would want this one.It`s a 350 GM Target replacement engine.

 

[ChuckG]

Aha!! Looking for a little performance upgrade Seriously, it's very rare for a block to crack unless it froze with water in it, or some catestrophic event occured....thrown rod, broken crank, etc. Chuck