Small nick on block deck surface
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 58
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Small nick on block deck surface I’m in the middle of a very basic street build on my 1998 LS1 block which is not going as smooth as I would like. Just got my short block back from the machine shop and notice this little dent scratch nick on the block deck. I’m assuming that’s a no go for reassembly so my next question is what are my options. It’s about .010” deep as best as I can measure.
Shop is telling me it wasn’t there when they finished which I already guessed was gonna be the case. Running a stock or very mild cam, bolt on’s etc.
Shop is telling me it wasn’t there when they finished which I already guessed was gonna be the case. Running a stock or very mild cam, bolt on’s etc.
Last edited by Rocky98; Oct 25, 2018 at 06:35 PM. Reason: Attach pic
Damn that’s aweful close to a critical sealing area. I’m sure some might say run it as is, but it’ll be even more work if you have to fix it later after a head gasket leak. 10 thou is a significant amount to shave. I would look for a shop that can weld fill the void then deck the block
TECH Addict
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,513
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From: PDX-OR-USA
Yep,, a dab of good metal base high temp epoxy and touch up with a bit of 120 grit..
There is some really great stuff available in the HVAC industry for fixing compressors and other fun stuff..
Heck they change intake ports on heads with epoxy..
I wouldn't even think of welding that ,, a good job requires heating the entire block to prevent stress in the cast iron.. (IMHO)
There is some really great stuff available in the HVAC industry for fixing compressors and other fun stuff..
Heck they change intake ports on heads with epoxy..
I wouldn't even think of welding that ,, a good job requires heating the entire block to prevent stress in the cast iron.. (IMHO)
Smooth it flat and run it or fill it, smooth it flat and run it.
There's plenty of surface left for sealing around the coolant jacket and the cylinder. The cylinder liner is also perfect and that's a critical part, so you're good.
There's plenty of surface left for sealing around the coolant jacket and the cylinder. The cylinder liner is also perfect and that's a critical part, so you're good.
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TECH Resident
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Texas
As long as there is no raised metal around the dent, I'd just run it like that.
As Pooter said, it's actually not part of the critical sealing area (unless you're going to run head gaskets with much larger bores that might overlap that hole).
IF there is raised metal around the dent, file it flat with a bastard file using light strokes, and follow up with some high grit sandpaper, like 400 or higher. Then run it. I don't think the JB Weld is necessary, but I don't think it will hurt, either.
Also, for the record, I've always used copper gasket spray on any MLS head gasket I've ever used.
EDIT: Something I think should be mentioned is that the nick has plenty of good material around it, which is why I wouldn't be worried about it. If the nick started where it is next to the cylinder bore, and went all the way to the water jacket, then I'd be worried. But it's surrounded by good metal.
As Pooter said, it's actually not part of the critical sealing area (unless you're going to run head gaskets with much larger bores that might overlap that hole).
IF there is raised metal around the dent, file it flat with a bastard file using light strokes, and follow up with some high grit sandpaper, like 400 or higher. Then run it. I don't think the JB Weld is necessary, but I don't think it will hurt, either.
Also, for the record, I've always used copper gasket spray on any MLS head gasket I've ever used.
EDIT: Something I think should be mentioned is that the nick has plenty of good material around it, which is why I wouldn't be worried about it. If the nick started where it is next to the cylinder bore, and went all the way to the water jacket, then I'd be worried. But it's surrounded by good metal.
Don’t weld that. It will distort the bore, and you’ll have to re-hone. Personally, I’d do as said above and carefully file the area if, and only if there’s a raised area around the nick. If not, spray your gaskets with copper spray, which I always do anyway, and run it.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 58
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Thank you for all the input! If I have some surface filler kicking around I will use that and sand smooth. Otherwise I think I will use the copper spray and follow the above advice. I checked with a guage block and there doesn't seem to be any raised metal around the dent.
