Looking at possibly buying a 64 date coded 426 HEMI block.Only issue is its cracked in the inner 3 main webs between the main bearing saddles and the cam bearings.Can it be fixed or should I p***.
no I need a correct dated block but also one I can use,if can't or shouldn't be fixed I'll p*** on it.
Tough call. Are you looking to race it? Most cracks in cast can be successfully repaired. But it requires a trained expert to get it right. I could weld an exterior crack, but internal cracks require a bit more than a grinder, torch, buzz box, and nickel rod... In almost every case I'd say toss the block. But for a special block like that I'd give it a try. The ideal would be if the seller would let you take it to a welder for his opinion before you buy. But based on what little info you have given, if it was me I'd give it a shot.
It won't be a race motor but built to specs for a 60's era match racer A/FX, Hilborn injected, roller cam, high compression just a cackle car maybe a couple of short full throttle hits once in a while.
It is always quite difficult to say withot seeing the block in person for a careful and thorough exam. From what you describe, even pictures wouldn't help here. I will say this though, and I have the knowledge and had the capability to bore cam bearing bores, align bore and align hone main bearing bores, and of course repair both cast iron and aluminum blocks, it doesn't sound good in this case. Even as a cackle car, I believe from what you describe you will be just putting lumps and bags of good money onto bad. The minute you think you have found and repaired all of the damage, other damage unknown/ hidden will manifest and keep you from using the block anyway. Keep searching for a better candidate for your project, best of luck.
That's a tough call. The location of the damage is going to make it really difficult to accurately determine the full extent of the repair. There's lots of areas that you can't easily access that might have damage you can't see. Yeah, you could probably repair it and put it back together, but at best, it'll be a ticking time bomb. Is there anything physically unique to your year of the "correct" engine block, or can you subs***ute it with a later block and still have it look period-correct? Early 426 Hemi stuff is as rare as hen's teeth, and unfortunately, most of the stuff out there for sale is exactly what you described. Racers were cruel to Hemis back in the day, and when they blew one up, they just went and got another one to replace it. Some of the extents guys have gone through to save those parts are amazing, but sometimes, you just have to accept that it's too wounded to save.
It's all a matter of money and if you can find the right shop. A friend of mine came into possession of a '28 LaSalle roadster quite reasonably because the previous owner had stored it over a Minnesota winter with water in the block. It looked like a jig saw puzzle when we got it apart. He found some guy who specialized in this sort of thing, and a week and a couple of thousand dollars later, he had his block back. Never had a problem with it in the 15 years he kept the car. The only thing specific that I remember about it is that it sat in a big furnace for a long time.
Funnycar, While it is a rare block and probably is worth saving it is unlikely that it would hold together well. That part of the block takes a lot of stress. I would p*** on it if it were me and I think I can repair anything.
tubman,...that furnace is for the preheat and the (after welding) postheat process, required to weld cast iron. A crack in a main bearing web would generally mean shopping for a better block,..and save that couple thousand dollars for the "new" one....... Just my thoughts,........ 4TTRUK
At one time Indy cilinder head spe******ed doing repairs on hemi blocks and heads that were cracked. I would call them and ask them for a there opinion. I have seen repairs done to cracked combustion chambers in Hemi heads, so i would thing that if the area was accessable to make the repair it is possable
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