94 350 Magnum short block question
 

Hello all,
New to this club but have read a few threads and this seems like my kind of place. Looking forward to the chatter.

I am in the process of buying a 94 Z225 from a friend (maybe) and have come across a SNAFU. Bottom line: There wasn't supposed to be any problems with the boat but ... after an initial start up, water leak found, follow on discussion and analysis, we discoverred that due to a failure to winterize (he's a good dude but didn't know he had to drain the block for the winter) it has a cracked head (which we saw externally), and upon removal of the head we discovered a hairline crack in the block.

94 350 Magnum: The hairline crack is in the interior wall of the center water jacket but the oil was clean (no water) upon disassembly. Here's the question: What's your opinion on this type of crack? And does anyone know the pressure measure (water pressure) this wall is likely to see? This is an open cooling system so I don't believe the pressure is significant.

Not sure but this may be a sign for me to cut and run...

Thanks in advance,

Re: 94 350 Magnum short block question
 

It's not really a matter of pressure. When the block heats and expands, the cracks will continue to grow. The damage is done. Unless your buddy is willing to knock a few grand off the purchase price for a new long block...I would cut and run. What else did he forget to winterize?