Lol don't be mean to the 4.8 comparing it to the 305. They were actually turds atleast the 4.8 can be massaged to get some power out of them .

 

Funny you mention it, that's exactly my plan with it to use as a mock up block to build the turbo hot side .

 

Thanks for the info, learned something new, and that I'm missing out down here in Texas. It goes from in the teens to 110, and the weather is super erratic.

 

yes that can be done, have done it. only worth it on expensive stuff. last one I did was a caterpiller that cracked from the edge of the wet sleeve to a bolt hole almost as deep as the jug. They worried it might weep coolant into the oil. lots of pre and post heat and nickle 99 rod.

 

It seems that there was a prior head gasket leak, possibly caused by the deck already being recessed.

I think you're going to have continuing problems with this regardless of what is done to remedy it... as said above, make a coffee table (or mini wine rack)

 

Face it man, the block is DONE. Easy enough to get another one cheaper than getting this one fixed the right way.