Wondering if anyone has ever cracked their LS1 block and had it welded back together. Recently have come to find out that my number 2 cylinder filled up with gasoline due to a faulty injector and the pressure cracked the block, now my engine builder tells me he can fix the block, re-hone engine, and reaseemble the bottom end for $1800 bucks. Has anyone ever had their aluminum block welded to solve a problem like this. Im wondering if the block will hold up over time if i did choose for him to fix it?

 

I saw two near perfect blocks on eBay this morning for less than that.

It also depends on where it cracked and how bad. If it cracked anywhere around the sleeve index, I would not use it. Especially for that price.

 

I would find a new block (cheapest) or have the block completely resleeved (not cheap). I don't think I've ever heard of anyone successfully sleeving only one cylinder.

 

im sure if you look around you can find a new block for less than a grand......

GM#12561166

 

Block Material: 319-T5 Aluminum
Block Description: 90°V, Deep skirt with cast-in iron sleeves.

Doubtful that if he "fixed" it, that it would hold up over time.

 

Find a used ls2

 

definitely wouldnt try to fix it for that price. too bad your so far. i have a block minus main caps that i really have no use for.

 

New block, I had a cracked cylinder wall in a new 383 with about 2000 miles on it. It sucks, new block for sure.

 

Just sell that block to someone who wants to do a Darton sleeve big bore engine and get a used 5.7 to replace it. Youll only be out a few hundred $$ for the difference.

 

I'd sure like to know where it's cracked and see a picture of it. I reread his OP, and that price includes all the machine work to build a short block. So maybe it's not so bad a price after all if that includes parts. There are a lot of aluminum blocks running around that have been welded. I actually have a shop a mile from me that specializes in welding aluminum blocks and heads...it's about all they do. So it CAN be very safe and reliable. The price just has to fit the project and it depends on where it's cracked. A water jacket or crank case window usually aren't stress areas and can be run easily. But if it's cracked where the sleeve indexes, I wouldn't touch it.

 

^^^^^i just had an ls1 shortblock completely rebuilt for 800 bucks. so that means the block repair would be 1000 dollars. a brand new ls6 block is somewhere around 900 from scoggin dickey.

 

Yea didnt really get into detail with builder on where the actual crack is, will be going down to shop in couple days to take a look at it.

 

$800 to rebuild a short block that's dirty cheap, even if it's labor only.