Cylinder wall weld??

Hey all,

I just teared down my 1969 318 engine and found this (see pictures) between cylinder 4 and 6.
As I thought I removed the thin stock looking head gaskets I wondererd if this is maybe done by the factory? Anybody seen something like that before?
Actually I wanted to reuse the stock bottom end...

Thanks for the help!

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Looks like a shabby weld repair with high nickel rod. You being in Austria, blocks are not around every wrecker. VW blocks yes. I would take it to a trusted welder. They can grind it out to the parent iron metal and furnace weld with cast rod, or pre heat the area and cast iron weld. Keep some heat on and peen while cooling slowing to relieve stress.
The other way is to grind out the holes and weld with high nickel rod. Pre heat and peen regularly during welding to relieve stresses.
When done it should be Manaflux tested for cracking beside the weld. After that deck the block to get both square and the same height and bore the cylinders oversize for new pistons.
Now would be the time to consider what you want and possibly look to a stroker crank; 3.58" or 4".