Hello, Intro here, first time posting. I have really enjoyed the amount of info the members have placed here, what a great resource! I drive around an original 23 T and am in North East Iowa currently working on a custom shoebox project. Just got my flathead back from the machine shop and I have a few cracks. Anyone be willing to give some advice on this particular block and its cracks??? Where should I take the block to be fixed, any thoughts on the cost of the repairs and should I keep looking for another candidate to stroke and bore? Cheers, Mike
8ba blocks are not that scarce. Would probably be better to find a good one than try to have yours repaired. Just my 2 cents worth
Ditto^^^. With that many cracks, I'd be looking for a good block. Crack repair is expensive, if you can get it done and some of yours may be very difficult. Tim
From experience I can recommend a company formerly known as Williams Cylinder Head Company and now part of the Arnolds Group in Nevada Iowa for that type of work.
If I'm looking at the right lines in those pics, you have cracks meandering all over the place, not the normal flathead cracks... I would suspect this means the engine froze and the expansion of the ice practically blew the deck off. If so, the engine probably has cracks in places you can't even see like the exhaust tunnels...
Hey Mike, if you've lurked for awhile you'll know that Bruce knows flatheads. I'd be looking for a new one. Not unusual to go through a few before finding a good one.
I'd like to be sure I am seeing the cracks...but what I'm seeing, is lines around edges of cylinders, across top row of holes, other odd places that made me think freeze while block was upside down...but maybe I'm wrong about what I am supposed to be picking out and those are just gasket cement. Need better picture...but my first take is that whole deck is blown out!
Not seeing how to PM, email me at studio2@mikeknoxstudio.com if you would and let me know about your 8ba Thank you, Mike
The cracks seem to be on the edges of the valve seats and cylinders across the top can't see them by the naked eye ...........................................................Over all thanks for the advice, I am picking up another block this weekend..........was told it was tested, we'll see. I gotta run a flatty! and have to admit I am new to the rebuild of these motors. Thanks again! Cheers
On the second picture I can see the usual crack going from the bolt hole to the large coolant hole, but as you have already stated you are getting another block anyways.
Im in the same boat as you right now. 8ba block with two cracks around exhaust valves. machine shop said they should be able to fix them??? Dont want to spend more money than i have to.
Generally,when a crack appears in the valve seat area(may or may not extend into the bore) the best,sure fire results are to install a sleeve in that cylinder to make sure h2o does NOT invade the cylinder.
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