My 427 Block cracked by the machinist. Opinions welcome.

[Joseph W.]

Re: My 427 Block cracked by the machinist. Opinions welcome.

Thank you Leif.
Appreciate your well wishes.

[David P.]

[Joseph W.]

Re: My 427 Block cracked by the machinist. Opinions welcome.

David
curious if you've had a block repaired by them?
If so, I'm curious on the cost.
They would not commit to a price till they saw the block.

[Thomas S.]

Re: My 427 Block cracked by the machinist. Opinions welcome.

The best way to have a block repaired, is to have the block heated in a small furnace till it is red-hot, and gas welded with the correct rod. Then the heat is slowly drop over an hour while the block is still in the furnace. If you hear a ping the block is still broken and will need to be welded. I had a 351,427 block have a push rod go thru the side 25 years ago, welded and still going.
o

[Joe L.]

Re: My 427 Block cracked by the machinist. Opinions welcome.

The best way to have a block repaired, is to have the block heated in a small furnace till it is red-hot, and gas welded with the correct rod. Then the heat is slowly drop over an hour while the block is still in the furnace. If you hear a ping the block is still broken and will need to be welded. I had a 351,427 block have a push rod go thru the side 25 years ago, welded and still going.
o

Thomas-----


For repairs in critical or high stress areas (including something like damage by a loose connecting rod), the repair methodology that you suggest might be the only practical method of repair. For many other cracks, the "stitch" method might be the best method to use. However, for the type of cracks seen in Joseph's case, I don't think that either of those methods is practical or, in fact, advisable.

[Joseph W.]

Re: My 427 Block cracked by the machinist. Opinions welcome.

yesterday (Thursday) I made the long drive up to Turlock, CA from Ojai CA to drop off my damaged block to Lock N Stitch inc.
It was a 5 hour drive, 321 miles.

IMG_2055.jpg

https://youtube.com/shorts/hRgW3qkFOeI?si=teC3CGmeLTiPBnIX

[Chris H.]

Re: My 427 Block cracked by the machinist. Opinions welcome.

Joseph, very interesting process. Seems like a bargain to me considering the value that original block brings to the car. If it’s any consolation I just got a $4k quote to fix a damn water pump in a damn Ford Flex. I’m done with Fords.

[Gary B.]

[Joe L.]

Re: My 427 Block cracked by the machinist. Opinions welcome.

Joseph,

If I was ever faced with having to spend $2K to save the original block in my ‘66, I’d do it in a heartbeat.

Gary

Gary------


The key words are "...having to spend...". In this case, I do not think it's necessary. As I've mentioned previously, I think that simple brazing or, even, a JB Weld repair would be satisfactory and durable. In addition, there would be virtually no risk of additional damage being caused by the repair, itself (i.e. failure of the repair to go as planned). For a repair like this, I feel the "least aggressive/invasive" repair methodology should be used.

I am reminded of a line of the physician's oath: "first, do no harm".

[Patrick B.]

Re: My 427 Block cracked by the machinist. Opinions welcome.

[Gary B.]

Re: My 427 Block cracked by the machinist. Opinions welcome.

Patrick,

Thanks for that info. I missed that point.

Gary

[Joseph W.]

Without plugs.jpgWith plugs.jpg

[David P.]

Re: My 427 Block cracked by the machinist. Opinions welcome.

Glad to hear. I assume they pressure tested the repair, if necessary and checked for any other cracks that may have been missed?

They do excellent work and will stand behind it.

[Joseph W.]

Re: My 427 Block cracked by the machinist. Opinions welcome.

David,
they did check for other cracks, but not sure about the pressure testing. I’m not sure how they would do that.

[Bill M.]

Re: My 427 Block cracked by the machinist. Opinions welcome.

How would you pressure test an unassembled engine ?