Can this happen?
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: N. Mississippi
Can this happen?
Is it possible to run an engine hot enough to crack the block? Reason I ask is because that's what my girlfriend's son is claiming. It's an older model Chevy suv with a 350. He is worrying the heck out of her for money to help get a newer vehicle and she is asking me if this is possible. I have never heard of a engine block cracking from over heating but I'm not saying it can't happen.
Has anyone ever heard of or know of this happening?
Has anyone ever heard of or know of this happening?
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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I would expect a head to crack before the block since the heads see the highest temps.A compression test should give you an idea of which cylinder(s) are cracked ,but it won't disciminate between a block,head or gasket being bad.Hope he didn't decide to deep six the engine just to get a new car.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Buckeye, AZ.
The Chevy engine is a cast iron block and able to withstand heat very well or they would not make frying pans out of cast iron. If the block is cracked then there is probably another cause such as hot rodding around town. In any event a rebuilt small block V8 engine should be less than $1500
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
Blocks CAN CRACK!
If overheated enough, they can crack in the cylinder wall usually, but they can actually crack in other places.
My friend's Monte Carlo SS with a 305 cracked the block on the OUTSIDE without any overheating.
Also, you can crack a block by not using antifreeze and freezing the engine - POP.
art k.
If overheated enough, they can crack in the cylinder wall usually, but they can actually crack in other places.
My friend's Monte Carlo SS with a 305 cracked the block on the OUTSIDE without any overheating.
Also, you can crack a block by not using antifreeze and freezing the engine - POP.
art k.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Marengo, Iowa
I haven't experienced one on a 350, but a 2.8. The kid was known for rodding it, and he did overheat it real bad. It split all 3 back cylinders on a Cavalier. It was a saleman's son...
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Posting Guru
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From: N. Mississippi
Well from what I have been told....no one has looked at the engine to see if it's cracked other than one of his so called 'mechanic' friends who stay high all the time. He doesn't want his uncle, who is a working mechanic, to look at it. Go figure.
He told his mom that he drove it to his apartment after it cooled down but now it won't crank. I find it hard to believe the block cracked and he drove it afterwards.
He told his mom that he drove it to his apartment after it cooled down but now it won't crank. I find it hard to believe the block cracked and he drove it afterwards.
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Marengo, Iowa
Oh, they'll run, but the compression will leak into the cooling jacket. There is no way he knows it is cracked until it is torn down to be inspected though... I didn't find those 3 until the head was off, as I suspected toasted head gasket.... I got a surprise!
Tuned
Joined: May 2005
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tell "son" its time to grow up. buy yourself your own car. or better yet, tell him he needs to get the one he broke fixed, give it back to mom, and buy one. i've got no sympathy for kids like that...... (maybe i dont have the full story, but thats what i would do!)
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
More likely a cracked head then a cracked block, but, you see everything if you work on cars long enough. Most cracked blocks, where you can actually see the crack, are from the crankshaft busting loose from excessive RPMs, though usually they punch a hole in the oil pan as well. Rebuilt Chevy 350s are $800 from Autozone, so you know where to tell him to go 
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From: N. Mississippi
Originally Posted by dorkpunch
tell "son" its time to grow up. buy yourself your own car. or better yet, tell him he needs to get the one he broke fixed, give it back to mom, and buy one. i've got no sympathy for kids like that...... (maybe i dont have the full story, but thats what i would do!)
For the record...his mom will NOT help him this time around. She did offer him to have his truck towed to his uncle who said that he would help him get another motor for it but her son won't do that. He has his mind on a newer vehicle so she wished him good luck.
I tell you, between him and his no account spoiled wife and her daughter and her bum of a husband...my g/f is ready to go crazy! I told her that I had stayed out long enough and that if either of her kids call the house...I'm going to unload on them.
She is going to go get him after she gets off work and take him to The Med in Memphis to get him some help. The boy needs it! I say boy because he acts like a young kid.
Thanks for the replies guys!
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Hudson Florida.
its about time he takes it to a professional mechanic, and pays for his own stuff, I wont pay for other peoples vehicle repairs, my mom aint paying to fix mine for me, and I wouldnt want her to either.
IF he's ever going to live independently from others, he'll have to get his crap together now, and start acting mature. hell, I havent acted like a kid since I was about 13, and I dont miss it much.
IF he's ever going to live independently from others, he'll have to get his crap together now, and start acting mature. hell, I havent acted like a kid since I was about 13, and I dont miss it much.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Central Massachusettes
Time to cut the apron strings on this pup! My wifes Son is also a real no load and after he showed up at our house with a friend and a U-haul when we weren't supposed to be home and was met at the door by my wife who's car was in the shop he ain't been welcome here! Scotty.