[oldfielder]

Alright everyone, thanks or the advice. I appreciate everyone's interest and I was fully prepared to get varying opinions on this one.
Having no experience whatsoever with an engine in this condition, it's good to see what others think. I'm pretty sure I caught it right away, as the motor was idling fine one minute on the drift and then started to stagger. As soon as I got the plugs out I was able to turn the engine by hand and expel the water from the failed side and I found the crack in the manifold almost immediately.
Pelican-if you were my mechanic I would appreciate your candor rahter than just throwing parts at my motor. I am done with the guy I've been using-I think he has cost me more money with some of his mistakes. He is a good guy and has some skills, but I want him working on my motor as if it were his own.
I figure since I pickled it right away, have had it running three times now, the oil looks good, my compression is in very good shape and my vacuum looks good (at least in the driveway), it's worth taking the risk and throwing new exhaust on the failed side and seeing what she does with a load on. The most that's going to cost me is $300 bucks in parts-all the labor is being done by yours truly and I'm learning more by the day, which is what this site is all about in the first place.
Last night I pressurized the coolant side with an auto tester both warm and cold and didn't see any fluctuations in the gauge other than it rising slowly as the engine warmed up, but then it held steady, so maybe my smelling coolant is in my imagination.
I won't be rebuilding this motor or buying a long block, either. If she goes she goes, and in comes the new motor from merc. That price is almost exactly what my guy quoted me for that motor-but he has some kind of deal right now from merc. that the motor is coming with 3 years rather than 1, and that's not for the seacore.
Anyway, onward we go. Maybe if we want to discuss AB's exhaust we should start a new thread so people will see it in the title and it will be more useful. I love the civil discourse on this site-
Oh yeah-special thanks to bushwacker for all of the time and patience via pm's. I'm definitely hooking up that permanent vac gauge this winter-just have to figire out where to tee it off and how to run it up to the dash, but I have some ideas.
On go the new manifold and riser tonight. Unfortunately I have to go up to the cape to bury my favorite uncle this week so the boat will wait until next weekend. Sure puts things like this in perspective.
Thanks again everyone.
Doug