Help crack in the block
 

We pulled my 53 flathead 8 out of the tank today and discovered a crack between the water jacked and one of the head bolt holes. Is this a problem? My re-build guy says he has gotten conflicting answers...
I'm thinking as long as the bolt can torque the head down then there shouldn't be any water problem? He suggested using a stud with sealer on this particular hole. He felt that would work, but suggested we ask the experts here.

Thanks in advance.

I don't think thats a problem, not unless the crack exceeds to a cylinder wall. When you bolt on the heads use thread sealant.

No that's not a problem because each bolt that holds down the heads IS A PART of the water jacket.

My engine shop, which has extensive experience with flatheads, advised me to helicoil my two cracked bolt holes and use a sealant on the threads. He says they have done that for years with success.

Good luck with it

ssj7kids;
You and I seem to be at the same stage of the game on our engines. I have a '49 239 and also have what looks like two cracks, one on each side at the same location. I pulled the heads off and was doing perfect until my wife came out and starting swimming in the nude. Needless to say, I was distracted...Whats your next step? I don't know if I should put new pistons and rings or not. TTYL. Ralph

ask number dummy those cracks are so common they have a part no . or so i'm told !:)

yeah, it's so common it's almost like cracks were part of the manufacturing process!!! any GOOD machine shop should be able to fix this if not TOO severe!

I wouldn't even bother to try to fix them - virtually every block has them. You could possibly make things worse, by attempting to repair - it has actually relieved a little bit of stress there, plus, because of where it is, it doesn't affect anything. The only thing I've found, is that since it can allow water to get in the bottom of the stud hole, that stud or bolt can be VERY hard to get out...my studs broke both sides, and they were the only ones that broke - the rest came out fairly easily.

I wouldn't worry about it. I know it goes against our nature, but it's ok...really it is....

R

Ralph - what's your address, and do you have a tall fence??!!??

Ha, ha!!

Seriously, sounds like a great time for a "break"...

R