Acquired a 428 block

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Apr 20, 2009 | 09:47 PM

393STROKER

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From: houston

Acquired a 428 block

Hello, I acquired a 428 block from an elderly gentelman today , but it appears to have some hard to see cracks on the left side,by the lifters.I took it to a shop to have it checked. If it is cracked can it be fixed ? I think it`s out of a `68 Mercury and it has the extra webbing on the mains like a CJ but it has the standard caps. How bad would it be to just run it like it is if its cracked ? Or would I be better off getting another one.? Thanks in advance

Apr 20, 2009 | 11:52 PM

maxtor

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 393STROKER

Welding cast iron is a science. Few can do it right. I know you do not want to hear this, but if your machine shop finds that it is cracked, it would be better to find another block, in my opinion. I had a set of cracked 427 heads years ago, that I put more money in them than I would had in a new set of Edelbrock aluminum heads, and they still did not come out right. And this was done by the cast iron welding guru down in Sacramento. I am sure that others have good stories to tell about fixing their cracks, but I never have had good luck with a cracked block or head.

Apr 21, 2009 | 12:43 PM

krewat

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Joined: Jul 2002

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From: Long Island USA

Cracks in the block are not good, and if they are ANYWHERE but in the cylinder bores, I would steer clear of using that block for anything but an anchor. In the cylinders, you can always sleeve it if it's cost-effective.

Did you measure the cylinders and actually come up with a 428 bore?