TOPIC: 68 Merc 1000 (Hey Doc)

The rumors of me getting out of the inline six's were true, but it seems the addiction to these tall ladies is too strong. I brought this one back from Alberta and thought I would share some pics for my pal Thom.

Never seen this particular failure before, its clear it ran hot on the top cyl, I suspect water pump failure. Interestingly enough there is little to no damage to the number 1 piston and the rings are free. Turns over freely and smoothly by hand.

OOps have to resize some photos.

Heres a pic through the intake port.

Used to see this sort of thing on the triples all the time, but this is the first time I have seen it on an inline. Steam pocket trapped in the top of the water jacket will cause this, we used to drill and tap the top of the block and move the telltale hose there to relieve it.

Agreed George, my exact diagnosis as well. I am working with a company in California to see if I can "stitch" this back together rather than weld. Stitching pins would be used to close the crack and fill the holes. Always looking for new ways to do stuff. This particular block is not valuable per se, but if we can find a way to save a cracked block that is valuable why not.

Worth a shot. I have used the stitch method to close up cracks in water jackets on frozen engines, works pretty well.

Yup, I have seen it used on crankcases. I was not sure about heads but apparently it is quite commonly used. In this case I will be using a .201 stitch pin, should take about 12 to 15 pins. The plan is to stitch from the end of the crack towards the fissure(s) from both ends and plug the holes at the end of the process. Winter work.

Please take pictures as you do this repair.
It will give me something to review this winter.
I doubt there will be much else going on in my Mercury Magic Shoppe, unless Seymour and Igor chose to keep the lights on.

Doc F

Sounds like some of the connections need to be adjusted Doc, take 1/5 rum 4/5 mix of your choice and lay down for a while. Take care. Gotta watch Igor, he has that look in his eyes.

Hey Doc! Keep the lights on as I will darken yer shop door soon! I'm done for the summer boats, time to pickle. I had the rebuilt Minimost on C/L, and now here on a new "Steamboat Island Neighbors" website. DAMN ZERO bites? Anyway ya got a email coming..later gator..we will sit and BS..be well, Robby..(plus I got a brain fart I want to run by ya)