Checking for cracks....

[irocbsa]

This may be a very stupid question but: I have a 350 block that I suspect is cracked. In order for the machine shop to magnaflux the thing do I have to tear it down completely or can I bring them the short block. Reason I ask is because I didn't have to tear down my heads when the checked those. :confused:

[Jeremey]

It would probably be best to dissasemble the short block. Is the block clean? You can spot most cracks by eye if you know where to look. Most cracked blocks I have seen cracked either on the side of the block (usually pretty obvious), between a bore and head bolt hole, or in the lifter valley.

[ July 05, 2002, 17:37: Message edited by: Jeremey ]

[irocbsa]

The thing's not too clean. Its still in the engine bay, I'm just seriously exploring options now. Is a cracked block pretty much scrap iron or can, or maybe I should say should it, be fixed?

[WS6 VERT]

To have it checked, it must be dissasembled. If you let them dissasemble, it will cost you more, and they probably not claim responsibilty for anything that happens.

If the block is not clean, they will probably charge you to hot tank, and if need be, sandblast.

[irocbsa]

Lovely. :( But just what I needed to know. Thanks.

[SportCoupe]

LOL. A nice, clean, sandblasted CRACKED block.

j/k ;)

[ragtop88]

Sandblasting?? Are y'all referring to the high temp cookoff and tunmble in sand.....blocks come out looking like they are brand new....never heard of a machine shop sandblasting a block as a method.....doesn't mean they don't. I've seen blocks crack around the expension plugs as well as in the cylinders themselves. SO why do you think its cracked?

[WS6 VERT]

Originally posted by ragtop88:
Sandblasting?? The last time I took a block to the machine shop, was from an engine I yanked from the boneyard. It was a solid chunk of rust. So the machine shop charged me to sandblast it before magnafluxing it. Thats why I said "if need be". And BTW, Millican, my sandblasted block was the one you sold to your buddy. Looked pretty damn good, didn't it tongue.gif

[irocbsa]

I don't think this one will need the sandblasting. I used to clean the thing at least once a week. And its painted so no rust. I think its cracked because the car was blowing white smoke and I had the heads milled, checked for cracks, and replaced the head gaskets as well as the intake manifold gaskets. The block deck was not warped. Figured a cracked block was the last possibility.

[irocbsa]

Any of you recall how much the machine shop charged to check the block for ya?

[WS6 VERT]

It was 3 years ago, so I don't really remember, but I think it was <$100 Let me call the shop later and find out

[irocbsa]

OK, thanks. smile.gif Tarzan no live in town where machine shop open on Saturday. smile.gif

[ July 06, 2002, 12:56: Message edited by: irocbsa ]