Technical Advice on 59AB block crack

Good day - longtime listener, first time poster. I am amazed by all the knowledge and talent displayed on the HAMB. I appreciate any advise your all have to offer.

I am trying to get my 36 3W back on the road with a motor build and need some advice on a crack found in my 59 block.

Currently bored 40 over. Mag has revealed the common cracks between the bolt and water holes in the middle of the block AND one small crack on the webbing for the middle crank bearing. What are your thoughts on this crack?

Build plans are for a 4 inch crank, 8BA internals with 60 over pistons, Winfield SU-1A cam, 59AB iron heads w/dual carbs.

I am planning to pressure test next, but am trying to determine if this is the block I should invest in further? Thoughts?

IMG_2661 by 36Outlaw posted Oct 12, 2024 at 6:41 AM

IMG_2671.jpeg by 36Outlaw posted Oct 12, 2024 at 6:41 AM

IMG_2672.jpeg by 36Outlaw posted Oct 12, 2024 at 6:41 AM

IMG_2662 by 36Outlaw posted Oct 12, 2024 at 6:41 AM

 

Where is the end of the crack? Can it be seen?

 

Sorry for the late reply - don’t know how I missed this. The crack does appear to end on each side (red arrows) but the crack is not perpendicular the web (yellow arrows are where the crack shows on the backside.

 

As answered on the Fordbarn, I’d say drilling the end of the crack and living with it would be fine. And that advice comes with a money back guarantee.

 

So would you try to drill the crack on the angle or just drill the end on both sides?

That’s a guarantee is worth every penny I paid for it… Haha. I appreciate it, thought I would post in a few places to gather as many opinions as I can.

 

The purpose of drilling a hole is to create a low stress place for the wiggling to stop. A nice round hole isn’t a sharp point that will direct a crack to continue in a certain direction. So it would be best to drill a single nice straight through hole at the very end of the crack. Hopefully with no burrs or nicks in it.

 

Ok. I appreciate it.

 

As some insight, what’s your plan other what you stated? Maybe a blower and future runs to the 3 mile at Bonneville @5500 rpm? Weekly Wednesday night drags at a local strip?
If not, cruising around and getting a higher rear gear so that highway runs at 22-2500 say a 65-70mph the drilling will be fine. The 4” stroke will add some strain but livable with careful consideration given to compression ratio… good luck.

 

Great question. In reality, likely just a reliable hot rod cruiser. It has a Columbia, so highway rpm’s should be reduced some and also another reason the racing likely not in the cards. Would love an old Scott blower, but that gets expensive quicker than my funds allow.

 

Can that area be pinned and machined properly? I’ve no experience with pinning cast iron.

 

I think I would keep looking if you have all these "aspirations".

 

I'd look for another.

 

This is one of those situations...... It would probably be fine; I'm sure there are worse running around out there, but would you have peace of mind, or would it nag you every time you started it?

 

Thanks.

Great point. I am afraid I am the latter (nagging), but wanted to hear the opinions of others.