427 crack in lifter bore.............Now what?

[Mark A.]

Upon the start up of my 69 435hp, I found out that my machinist either did not Magna-Flux the block, or missed a crack in the #6 piston lifter bore. I have water in the pan, and the crack is visible, when you look down the lifter bore. Is this repairable? If so can it be repaired without pulling the motor? My first time in 50 years of engine work, that I have run across this type of crack. I'm sure there are readers out there who have run into this. My gut tells me this is not a good situation. Any hope to save the block? Mark

[Joe L.]

Re: 427 crack in lifter bore.............Now what?

Upon the start up of my 69 435hp, I found out that my machinist either did not Magna-Flux the block, or missed a crack in the #6 piston lifter bore. I have water in the pan, and the crack is visible, when you look down the lifter bore. Is this repairable? If so can it be repaired without pulling the motor? My first time in 50 years of engine work, that I have run across this type of crack. I'm sure there are readers out there who have run into this. My gut tells me this is not a good situation. Any hope to save the block? Mark

Mark-------

It MIGHT be repairable by "stitching" (drilling and tapping for overlapping, tapered plugs). I can't really say with any certainty without photos. Following this method you would have to overbore the lifter bore and install a brass sleeve.

Regardless, this could not be done with the engine in the car.

[James G.]

Re: 427 crack in lifter bore.............Now what?

Most everything with a block is fixable IF there is enough margin available that it makes sense.
One of my customers bought a car with the original engine and half the pan rail was missing along with part of the oil filter boss all due to a broken rod in a 427. 3 years ago the charge was about 15k to weld the block up do all the machine work and rebuild the 427.

[Mark E.]

Re: 427 crack in lifter bore.............Now what?

3 years ago the charge was about 15k to weld the block up do all the machine work and rebuild the 427.

In this case, spending $15k makes economic sense if it avoids the added expense of a new engine PLUS the devaluation of a big-block car losing its original engine. So it may be worthwhile for you to assess repair (if feasible) vs. new block.

[Mark A.]

Re: 427 crack in lifter bore.............Now what?

Does anyone know a reputable shop that I could call? I have to much invested in this to turn back now.

[Tim S.]

Re: 427 crack in lifter bore.............Now what?

Mark,

Give me a buzz in the morning. I may have a suggestion for you.

Tim

[James G.]

Re: 427 crack in lifter bore.............Now what?

You may want to contact Patrick Boyd, regularly posts on the boards here.

When I was up at his shop in the summer of 2019 Patrick Boyd and I discussed the matter, Patrick was told that it would be awfully hard to spend 25k welding up an original block even it was missing pieces and you had to graft from a donor block, according to the NASCAR engine builder he spoke. Knowing how extensive a repair could be performed - IF the BUDGET was there - made it an easy call when I was handed a stack of photos of a 249 mile BERGER double COPO and asked to sit in on the negotiation, even when I got ot the ones of the engine block, I texted, don't worry about it, figure 20k for the repair, the original paint and interior are too nice not to get this one bought.

[Russ T.]

Re: 427 crack in lifter bore.............Now what?

Mark,

I use a shop called "Automotive Specialists" for engine builds.

They were founded in 1965 by Randy and Keith Dorton in Concord, NC.

https://automotivespecialists.com/cms/

If nothing else, maybe they can point you in the right direction.

Good luck,

Russ Trotter
NCRS #15044

[Domenic T.]

Re: 427 crack in lifter bore.............Now what?

I would have it sleeved.

Dom