Popped head bolt holes.
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (11)
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,782
Likes: 7
From: Port Neches, TX
Popped head bolt holes. Hi All,
I found this while pulling down my recently acquired (almost) freebie 5.7 motor. Head bolts into the crankcase on #1 & #8 are busted out at the base just above the cam journal bore. Doesn't appear it'll be a problem, right?
The guy I got it from said it had low compression in at least one hole, but I have found no indication of anything that would cause a compression problem. I plan on having the block and heads pressure tested soon...
I found this while pulling down my recently acquired (almost) freebie 5.7 motor. Head bolts into the crankcase on #1 & #8 are busted out at the base just above the cam journal bore. Doesn't appear it'll be a problem, right?
The guy I got it from said it had low compression in at least one hole, but I have found no indication of anything that would cause a compression problem. I plan on having the block and heads pressure tested soon...
Hard to say. It could be fine, maybe not. Does that goe into the water jacket? I would think you could do something like drill all the way through to relieve stress or maybe welded...Ask the machine shop BEFORE yuo do any work to it.
Or a killer anchor if you have a boat!!
IMHO for the price to get it fixed, if you even can idk.. you could buy a good used block for 2-300..
Im not an expert on machining so I don't know if you could for sure fix it, but I do know I wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing that. peace of mind is worth tons of $$$$
IMHO for the price to get it fixed, if you even can idk.. you could buy a good used block for 2-300..
Im not an expert on machining so I don't know if you could for sure fix it, but I do know I wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing that. peace of mind is worth tons of $$$$
Launching!
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 209
Likes: 1
From: NC
Alot of labor involved but it might be worth your time to save a defective cast depending on how much you got it for, if no water jacket is in question, and all of the cylinders pressure check to the gentlemen's story.
Thread sealer on the bolts and run it. SBC and BBC head bolts have never been blind drilled. That's the way yours is now. The previous owner didn't clean the holes good before putting the heads on. The head bolts don't go into a water jacket.
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This engine block is compromised in a high stress area-twice. Using a ton of sealant might provide a short term seal fix but you'll probably pull the rest of the threads out during head bolt installation. If you're lucky enough to not, the threads might pull during heat/cool cycles as everything expands and contracts.
Blocks are easy enough to find for a couple hundred bucks, why fool around with a broken block?
Do it right the first time or don't do it. You'll sleep better.
Blocks are easy enough to find for a couple hundred bucks, why fool around with a broken block?
Do it right the first time or don't do it. You'll sleep better.
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If it pressure tests OK, run it.
Previous owner had head bolts/studs installed with junk in the holes (probably coolant) causing the hole to hydrolock and blowing out at the bottom. There is a chance the cracks also run up the boss and into the waterjacket.
Previous owner had head bolts/studs installed with junk in the holes (probably coolant) causing the hole to hydrolock and blowing out at the bottom. There is a chance the cracks also run up the boss and into the waterjacket.
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (11)
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,782
Likes: 7
From: Port Neches, TX
I was able to shine a light from the cam tunnel and look into the affected bolt holes. The threads are in no way compromised, nor does the water jacket appear to be broached. The hydraulic force just pushed out a small corner of casting below the threads and off to the side, as I can see the intact drill bit tooling at the base of the hole.
My plan was to freshen up this shortblock and resell it, but not sure I'd want the potential headaches involved in dealing with it...
My plan was to freshen up this shortblock and resell it, but not sure I'd want the potential headaches involved in dealing with it...
This engine block is compromised in a high stress area-twice. Using a ton of sealant might provide a short term seal fix but you'll probably pull the rest of the threads out during head bolt installation. If you're lucky enough to not, the threads might pull during heat/cool cycles as everything expands and contracts.
Blocks are easy enough to find for a couple hundred bucks, why fool around with a broken block?
Do it right the first time or don't do it. You'll sleep better.
Blocks are easy enough to find for a couple hundred bucks, why fool around with a broken block?
Do it right the first time or don't do it. You'll sleep better.
I disagree, If anything there are cracks that will spread. The threads will not pull out from being all the way through like that. Like mentioned traditional SBC is like that already.
It can be checked for cracks along with a pressure check. Shouldnt be an issue if all that checks out.
OP, was the previous owner run this as is without issue?
Man! Looking at it again...I bet it can easily be welded!
Because the block is aluminum, it has more repair potential.
Thread Starter
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (11)
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,782
Likes: 7
From: Port Neches, TX
I disagree, If anything there are cracks that will spread. The threads will not pull out from being all the way through like that. Like mentioned traditional SBC is like that already.
It can be checked for cracks along with a pressure check. Shouldnt be an issue if all that checks out.
OP, was the previous owner run this as is without issue?
Man! Looking at it again...I bet it can easily be welded!
It can be checked for cracks along with a pressure check. Shouldnt be an issue if all that checks out.
OP, was the previous owner run this as is without issue?
Man! Looking at it again...I bet it can easily be welded!
My point was that getting someone to "feel OK" about these bolt holes may be more trouble than the $$$ I would gain by selling it. It would be easier to sell a shortblock than to part it out, at least around here where there's very little LS activity...
If the water jackets aren't compromised, put some pipe dope on the bolts and you will be fine.Use compressed air to see if air blows in to the valley or the water jackets. I do know of a guy the repaired a water jacket with JB weld and it worked fine.
He had issues that were disclosed, but nothing that would be related to these bolt holes. Low compression in one hole (couldn't remember which) and trash in the oil pan & filter which he bagged and passed on to me. It's mostly plastic junk from a smashed valve seal. The cylinder walls are fine and the bearings were only showing minor signs of particle embedding. Crank journals and oil pump internals were A-OK.
My point was that getting someone to "feel OK" about these bolt holes may be more trouble than the $$$ I would gain by selling it. It would be easier to sell a shortblock than to part it out, at least around here where there's very little LS activity...
My point was that getting someone to "feel OK" about these bolt holes may be more trouble than the $$$ I would gain by selling it. It would be easier to sell a shortblock than to part it out, at least around here where there's very little LS activity...
If you decide you want to sell that block, pm me. I might be interested in it.
