This photo is of a 496 big block Chevy crate engine short block brought to us to dyno after it was rebuilt by the crate company because of a warranty issue. All eight cylinders were in the same condition. The engine was fully assembled when it came to us and we tore it down to discover why it had 90% leakdown in one of the cylinders. Please note that the scratches extend above the piston ring travel area. You may draw your own conclusions as to when the scratches occured. The warrranted short block had not been fired prior to this teardown.
