Hey guys,  I have a 97 sidekick 1.8,  just finished a head gasket replacement on it today.  Oil and coolant were mixing before.  Still ran and drove fine though.  When I went to fill the rad up I could hear it inside the motor gurgling and thought that it was taking quite a bit to fill it up.  I stopped and checked the oil level and it was nearly all the way up the dipstick.  So I drained the oil pan and all the water came out.  Now this sounds like more than just a bad head gasket to me.  Could the block or something be cracked bad enough to allow that much water to pass directly through the motor to the oil pan that quickly?  Any other things that it could possibly be?  It's kinda frustrating doing all that work and it seems all for not.  I did have the head resurfaced,  it had a .004" warp to it.  Any help is greatly appreciated Thanks.

I have seen blocks cracked through at the bottom of #3 cylinder, and another one cracked between cylinders.  Both leaked cooling water into the oil pan.

I have seen blocks cracked through at the bottom of #3 cylinder, and another one cracked between cylinders.  Both leaked cooling water into the oil pan.

Alright,  I guess I need to shop around for a short block or something.   It's always more work than you think lol.  Thanks for the reply. 

I have seen blocks cracked through at the bottom of #3 cylinder, and another one cracked between cylinders.  Both leaked cooling water into the oil pan.

Were these the 1.8 blocks or 1.6?

I know the 1.6 blocks crack but I've never heard of a J18 or J20 (same block) cracking.

Please contact Miles D Oliver in facebook under the group of GEO TRACKER and SUZUKI SIDEKICK OWNERS CLUB. He has the 1.8l block for sale.

Please contact Miles D Oliver in facebook under the group of GEO TRACKER and SUZUKI SIDEKICK OWNERS CLUB. He has the 1.8l block for sale.

I'll probably have to try my luck at the local scrap yards.  Miles D Oliver is located in Virginia over 500 miles from me and the cost to ship the block would be too much.  I do appreciate it though,  that would be perfect...

If it were me, I'd probably try & find at least a 2.0l or preferably a 2.3l long block (j20 or J23). Both are likely more readily available & if you use your existing intake & exhaust manifolds they both should be (mostly) direct swaps. From what I have read, the 2.3l would be a bit harder because the oil pan & oil pickup are different.
There is a detailed write-up on a 2.3l swap here: http://www2.zukiworld.com/adding-some-more-sport-to-a-suzuki-sidekick-sport/
I should preface that with: IF you are sure you need an engine swap & it's not something else such as a cracked or warped head that could be more easily replaced.

Zack - Where are you located? I have a working long block you can have. No water in the oil, runs well, but has been sitting.

Check compression to find your problem.

Electrolysis can create hole in the block where the water pump mounts and squirt water straight into the crankcase