Hot Rods This is what happens when you go to the G.N.R.S. and your furnace goes out!

Used to pride myself with a really good memory for detail down to the trivial level. As time marches on some of the stuff I forget is kinda scary.

One thing that would help is to start and maintain a specific logbook for every piece of equipment where bad things can happen, just like in aviation. Aircraft get a big red "X" entry when a condition exists where it is inoperable, and it has to be signed off before it can be released for use. Anyway some type of "red flag" or tag, lockout or other method of grabbing your attention might prevent things like this.

 

I've seen guys do it. its not like the water jacket is exposed to combustion pressures.

 

It must have been awful cold outside to get that cold inside the shop to freeze that block-damn

 

Wow, sorry to see. I love 327's (and 283's). My next thought would be, where ELSE did it crack? Straight water is a hard freeze. If there is a little glycol in the mix (but insufficient for temperature) it "slushes" as it expands and that is when core plugs may push out.

George is right on as usual. A chunk of work for sure, but if it's in your comfort zone, your cash outlay is a tired Std bore 350 block, a machine shop tab for cleaning/bore&hone/(decking), plus gasket set, ring set, cam brg set, core plug set and some paint and such.

You asked about crate engines. Take a look at the Blueprint Engines site. Kearney, Nebraska. I have no personal experience but the builds seem thought out, they have warranty, and I like that each one gets a dyno run. Seems like good value.

http://blueprintengines.com/index.p...p3501ctc1-gm-fully-dressed-350-with-new-block

 

Looking at that, If I lived closer to you, I could come over and if you have a stick welder we could remove the exhaust manifold and cover some stuff with a fire blanket and in a few hours I could have that looking like new with some good quality SMAW nickel rod.
A little paint and it would be as good as new.
Would do it right in the car.
Silver solder is not really an option, and some of the other posted solutions have been less than desirable too.

 

I've never done the welding of a block- but I have seen the jb weld fix work- and work long term at that.
Grandpa and Uncle ran a wrecking yard, and always had a couple "yard cars". They would be used to ferry parts back and forth from the back up to the gate. One awful little Datsun b210 that was so badly rusted the front fenders fell off! There was a piece of pipe welded from fender to fender (set on top of the carb- sans air filter..) anyway a huge crack in the block was veed out and slathered with two part. That little shitbox buzzed around in the yard for years without a drip.
So anyway- there's at least 3 options a lot cheaper than hecho en Mexico crate motors


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It should have died in battle, singing the song of its people at 9500 rpm. JB weld will fix it, you know.

 

damn, if the cold weather can crack a block what does it to do your nuts?... it's good to live in Sunny California.

 

My mistake......when I re-read the original post, you explained the situation very well. I would have probably done the same thing at start-up for the reasons you mentioned. Best of luck with your repairs or replacement.

 

Agreed. You could even get a four bolt main 350 block and build what GM never did, a four bolt 327.

 

Several years ago, we installed wi-fi thermostats and an alarm system that I can set with an iPhone. Last week I was checking the temps in the Durango house from San Diego and discovered that the thermostat in the bar was not responding. A couple of phone calls and everything was up and running again. Added the shop to the system last spring. I guarantee you that you can install a similar system for a lot less money then the price of a crate motor!

 

It's hard for old guys to wrap their head around new technology like that. Hell, my cell phone still has a rotary dial.

 

Sorry to read this, after following along on your build, I feel your pain.
It can be sorted, and Denis's idea is a good one for the future.
The technology aint hard, if the kids can figure it out, older dudes can to, as evidenced by how many post here everyday.
Hot Rodding can be a cruel bitch sometimes, but you will figure it out, and I'd say this will never happen to you again.

 

I thank all of you for your condolences (r.i.p. old 327) ideas and help. I had a friend call me to say he has a spare 327 block he will part with if the numbers match mine.

 

I know your pain.

Bought this one (350). Told it was rebuilt .60 over just a few thousand miles ago. Said his wife didn't like the power it had so he pulled it for a milder motor. That should have been my first clue.
Results of an over the winter frozen block.

 

Just think, It could have been worse. It could have been my car!

Had a guy do that on a 6-71 Detroit Diesel in an American crane. He rebuilt the engine in the summer and put water in just in case something was wrong. Then he forgot to put anti freeze in it and some how it didn't get checked. Luckily they ran it every day and the first below freezing morning the operator complained that the heater didn't work. The hoses were frozen solid. It got into the high 40s in the afternoon so it thawed and they could put antifreeze in. The engine held enough heat in the compartment so the radiator and engine didn't freeze. If it would have been colder, windy or the operator didn't close the door it could have been worse.

 

You should see how nice the GM henco in mexico motors open up. I see it every year a boat owner thinks they dont need to winterize their motor because its going into a heated garage. Those new generation GM engines are half as thick as that old 327. When i was 16yrs old had a '65 malibu with a 327 froze that solid,the oldman was pissed,we pushed it in the garage and thawed out with a propane heater overnight. Never used water only in anything since...

 

muggy weld http://search.aol.com/aol/video?q=w...7DE70091D8E0B4A5984&v_t=client97_searchbox-ac

 

Used this stuff for twenty five years in a large papermill and never had any failures.
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cmpages/aluminumfilledepoxy.php

 

That sucks. If you go crate route I'm quite happy with my Blueprint crate motor. If you buy from Jegs or Speedway youll pay a few hundred more. Or you can go to the website and order direct from Blueprint.

 

Thanks man. I did check out there website, If I do go that route i will get it straight from them and go get it being im only about 5 1/2 hrs from Kearney Neb.

 

Check with them. Im 5 hours away, but the shipping cost was so low I couldn't beat it. My parents are 90 miles away and it was cheaper than having them go get it an bring it to me!

 

Im assuming truck freight?

 

Don't beat yourself over doing that. Years ago I did the same thing. When I furs built my 39 deluxe coupe in the mid 70's I put water in it and drove it that summer. When it came time to put it away for the winter I drained the radiator pulled the block drains only problem I could only access one plug. I figured there would be plenty of room for the water to expand and do no harm. Boy was I wrong it popped out a block soft plug and cracked the block on the 389. I can't remember the name of the product I used but it was a ceramic of some kind put it in with straight water ran it until the engine was hot, drained the water put in antifreeze and it never leaked. I ran that engine for another 2 or 3 years until I replaced it with a 400 Pontiac.

 

Bummer. That sucks. Not an issue I'm ever likely to experience in aussie. At least it wasn't a really cool motor like a hemi or flathead.

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That really sucks, I've been there. I'm guessing your block was bored and all internals are new. If you can get a company to pick it up I have a very nice 65 327 block here you can have for free. Not sure if someone like UPS would do that. I have saved this thing for years, maybe this is why.

 

This is what it is like to be part of a community [emoji3]


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Thank you very much! Capt Chat said it all.^^^^ I,m really leaning towards a new crate and trying to salvage the cracked motor for my old beater 61 Rambler two door wagon project. Thanks again to everyones help!!!!

 

Where are you located?? I'm in NorCal and I have several early 327's!! I'll donate it to you!!


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I've got a 283 and a 327 short block sitting in the garage.
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