Engine Blocks: Everything You Need to Know

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Parts of an Engine Block

The engine block is the solid piece of metal that holds all the moving parts inside the engine. There are several main components:

• Cylinders &#; Inside each cylinder, a piston moves up and down to create compression. Air and fuel enter each cylinder, and the piston is responsible for compressing the mixture.
• Deck &#; This is the upper part of the block to which the cylinder head mounts.
• Water pump housing &#; The water pump sits at one end of the block on most engines. The water pump supplies water to the engine so it can remain cool. (See: Four Types of Water Pumps and How to Replace Them.)
• Oil passages &#; The passages and galleries of the block ensure that all the vital components receive the lubrication needed to run normally. Oil flows through these passages to lubricate the crankshaft, connecting rods, and cylinders.
• Water jacket &#; These passages allow coolant to flow around the engine, separate from the oil, so the motor can maintain its operating temperature without overheating.
• Crankshaft housing &#; The main caps hold the main bearings and crankshaft in the housing on a thin film of oil so it can convert the force created by combustion into the rotational movement that gets transferred to the wheels. (See: All About Crankshafts and How They Work.)
• Freeze plugs &#; These are also called core or expansion plugs. They operate as a cap to the engine block, preventing coolant or oil from leaking out of the block casting.

The engine block has multiple purposes, which is why it must be in good working order. As mentioned above, it&#;s the solid base that supports all the moving parts inside the engine. So it&#;s used to mount the crankshaft and, in some models, the camshaft. It&#;s where the cylinder heads are mounted, and crucially, it connects to the transmission. It is tunneled with channels that provide lubrication and cooling fluid to protect the engine. And it&#;s where any auxiliary components are mounted, too, including the water pump.

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What Is an Engine Block Made Of?

A cast iron engine block is made from the following half-dozen components:

• Iron: 95%
• Carbon: 2.2%
• Silicon: 1.2%
• Phosphorus 0.85%
• Manganese 0.63%
• Sulfur 0.12%

An aluminum engine block contains only these three components:

• Aluminum: 91%
• Copper: 7%
• Tin: 2%

The look of the engine block differs based on what kind of motor it is: V, inline, or boxer. However, the engines all contain the same vital components.

Read this: How a Car Engine Works

Short Block vs. Long Block

You may think that short- versus long-block engines related to size, but that&#;s not the case. The difference is the components included when purchasing the engine block.

The short block contains an engine block, crank, connecting rods, and pistons. It&#;s called a short block because of the shorter list of parts. You need to add the cylinder heads, oil pump, gaskets, and other critical parts to this block.

The long block engine comes with all of the same parts as a short block, but also includes the valve train and cylinder heads. It could also include valve covers, a water pump, and an oil pan. It doesn&#;t include the intake manifold, electrical components, or exhaust manifolds.

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When you order an aftermarket or replacement motor, you may be able to order it as a short or long block.

There&#;s also a third option: the crate engine, which is known as a turnkey replacement. These are shipped from the manufacturer and are ready to be installed in the vehicle without extra work. Turnkey engines normally include the intake manifold, exhaust manifolds, and spark plugs. These are the most common engine replacements.

What Causes an Engine Block to Crack?

Engine overheating is the number one reason for a cracked block. The thermal stress caused by the engine getting too hot can crack the block. It can also crack in freezing temperatures if the cooling system contains too much water and not the right amount of antifreeze. When the water freezes, it expands, putting too much pressure on the block.

Manufacturing defects are also a reason for a cracked engine block. As one example, the eighth-generation Honda Civic (-) is known for being prone to cracked blocks because of a casting flaw. In fact, Honda had to extend the warranty on these Civic models to address the problem.

When the engine block cracks, you may notice these symptoms:

• White smoke from the exhaust pipe due to burning coolant
• Coolant leaks
• Oil leaks
• Overheating engine
• Rough running or misfiring
• Coolant and oil mixing
• Check engine light or other warning lights

Once you know that the engine block is cracked, it&#;s imperative to stop driving. If you don&#;t, larger problems may occur:

• Leaking coolant leads to engine overheating.
• Low oil levels due to a leak can lead to permanent engine damage.
• Leaking oil can start a fire.
• Excessive heat can warp the cylinder head or cause a blown head gasket.

Engine Block Repairs

It&#;s painful to hear that your engine block is cracked, especially when considering the replacement cost. While it may be possible to repair the crack, these solutions are rarely permanent. But they may buy you time until you can have the engine block replaced&#;or you junk the car.

That said, here are a few possible solutions:

• Commercial sealants &#; If there&#;s a small crack, a commercial sealant may help to minimize the damage. Simply pour the sealant into the coolant. While the vehicle runs, the sealant may close up the small crack.
• Engine welding &#; By welding the crack, you can increase the strength of the engine block, but few home users have access to the tools or expertise to do this job on their own.
• Cold-welding patches &#; Minor cracks can be sealed on the engine block with special glue and patches.
• Cold metal stitching &#; This isn&#;t a popular method for fixing a cracked engine. Using specialized inserts that join the broken metal can close some cracks temporarily.

The structural integrity may be compromised once there&#;s a crack in the engine block. For this reason, it may be impossible to fix it for the long term. Continued exposure to engine heat will cause more problems, especially if the repair isn&#;t done well.

Beyond that, depending on where the crack is, you may have to perform nearly as much work to repair it as you would to replace the engine. Evaluate the cost differences, because you will likely need to replace the engine in the future anyway.

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