Lifter Bore

Done at HTA. This is a common problem that many overlook. The right side/ passenger side rear bore is weak and should be checked for a crack. If you look close at these pics of an X-block you can see that lifter bore was spray welded and the all were bushed.

I have seen blocks that the decks were out of square over .015. and .020 from side to side. Lifter bores are also not at the correct angle. If your shop doesn't do this work after correcting the deck. its time to find a new shop. This should have been caught at the machine shop. This work should all be done while block is in the Rottler or similar machine to square everything to the crank bore and cam tunnel.

Most blocks that are above 340-6 have cast and machine problems. Also X-blocks as seen here. The best stock blocks are T/A, or 340-1 they had to meet a stricter quality control.

I kept a 340-1 for my self and compared it to others. The difference is evident with the naked eye. Cylinders on these blocks are always concentric and can be taken to 4.100 without issue. Rear lifter bore is also lacking porosity as the higher numbers have.

This said a good machine shop will fix any block. Its just a matter of how much you want to spend. I have seen blocks cut down between the cylinders. put in an oven straightened and rewelded. Top fuel motors are always saved. No matter how bad they come apart the blocks are repaired. And I have seen some brought in in pieces.

Spray welds or Shartanum rods. stronger then you would ever believe on a iron block if done in and oven. Third pic you can see the weld on the rear lifter bore. A crack came up on magna fluxing the block. This lifter bore was .010 over in size caused by the crack. This was a new block never in use.