UH Oh.

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Samsquanch

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Cobbs Creek Virginia
I recently acquired a 1977 LA 360 block and discovered this in one of the lifter bores. Some one please tell me it's no big deal PLEASE!!!! I was planning on building a stroker out of it but I think I'm screwed with this block. paid $300 for it. My guess is it's a gonner. Let's say I have to buy a new short block from an online dealer, what 360 (408) while mount up in a 1968 Barracuda with minimal if any altercations?

lifter 3.jpg


1.jpg


lifter2.jpg
 
Wonder if lifter bores can be sleeved?

Might be weldable or brazed to make a repair.

Your last photo almost looks like someone put a pin left to right through the crack

goood luck
 
Wonder if lifter bores can be sleeved?

Might be weldable or brazed to make a repair.

Your last photo almost looks like someone put a pin left to right through the crack

goood luck
I think the crack across the top of the lifter housing pretty much does me in for sleeving it but who knows maybe someone who has had this problem will chime in
 
I remember seeing a post in the last year about a hole in a lifter bore that looked just like that one. Don't remember there being a crack though.
 
It can probably be brazed and bushed. It just depends on how much your willing to spend to fix it and what other issues it may have. The second picture show what looks to be a heat issue?
 
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It can probably be brazed and bushed. It just depends on how much your willing to spend to fix it and what other issues it may have. Teh second picture show what looks to be a heat issue?
That scares me, A heat issue? I'm probably better off just buying a short block from jegs, summit or someone like that so less worries
 
If the casting is thin in this area, where else in the casting might there be a weakness ?? I would pass on this block. They are cheap and not real hard to find.
 
I agree better safe than sorry, the good news is the guy I bought the block off of is giving me back my money
I think that is the best possible outcome. I was gonna suggest investigating if it could be welded, and how much. Money back, solves the problem.
Edit: second the rec for Blueprint. I have never seen a bad word about them. Im gonna buy either a 540 or 598 from them.
 
It’s hard to build a warmed up motor for less than you can pick one up from BPE. Unless you have the tools and skill set to rebuild yourself and sub out the machine work..
 
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I recently acquired a 1977 LA 360 block and discovered this in one of the lifter bores. Some one please tell me it's no big deal PLEASE!!!! I was planning on building a stroker out of it but I think I'm screwed with this block. paid $300 for it. My guess is it's a gonner. Let's say I have to buy a new short block from an online dealer, what 360 (408) while mount up in a 1968 Barracuda with minimal if any altercations?

View attachment 1715772111

View attachment 1715772112

View attachment 1715772113
Look like you got ya a "Boat anchor" there.
 
If your looking for a 408 shortblock, I'm in the process of building 5 of them, although the blueprint engines are top notch, and @Johnny Mac can give you all the answers and customer service you could ever want. I am a one man machine shop/engine builder, if I can help you, feel free to PM me...
 
Thanks everyone for tagging me in. You guys Rock!! With the industry the way it is at the moment, we have paused Shortblocks. Every spot on the line is needed for longblocks and complete engines. That being said....if you don't already have a nice set of aluminum heads sitting there, or if you need machine work, etc, I can't see anyone being able to buy new parts and set them in a pile on the ground, for what we deliver a dyno tested, warrantied, engine for.

so again to clarify, we are still building longlbocks, and complete engines, and complete drivetrain packages. the shortblocks, are whats on "hold" for the time being.

everything in this link is available, besides the stripped shortblock. we just have long lead times, like everyone else right now.
BluePrint Engines
 
The way it looks to me is a bad casting, the crack looks like it just goes through to the hole so it wont go any farther. I would be worried about a piece coming off of it though. It could be repaired but might be to costly to make it worth your while.

You should be able to find a used engine cheap.
 
Looks like a pourous casting and was probably like that since it was made. Its fixable but being a 360 the cost of another block would probably be the cheaper route.
 
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