MTFCA Forum

I have a 7 -18 -15 block that has 1/4-1/4 chip at the top of a bore and the machine shop said they could not fix it . It also has a crack about 2inches above the cam going across the timing valley about 3 inches long. Other than above it is rather basic machining . One thing I do not get is it is stamped mid 17. Any ideas?

Blocks are not hard to come by...just sayin.

If you put a heat gun on that crack you can watch it open and close, I'd find another block.

Andy

There were a lot of backwoods fixes over the last hundred years and they did not have the things available that we do today. Myself , I learned a lot of things from my dad as he came thru the depression and he made do with what he had.
I think of some weird ideas at times and here is one.
I would think about using JB weld onthe chip and be sure to rebuild it as it shrinks, then file the top Down and carefully dress the cylinder side possibly with a needle file. Then hone the cylinders a little and reassemble with used pistons and used rings, even a used head gasket. As for the crack, drill both ends and find a way to grind it out a little and possibly some drill holes in it. Thenwash it down good with brakeclean and jb weld it.
You can assemble the engine without a mag coil ring and put it on a stand and test run it for a while using a battery to fire the coils. You can check it for water in the oil and to see if the crack Hsu changed or leaked. Pull the head and look at the repair and see what it looks like..
This may sound related crude and may not work but then again it might work. You will be out your time, a small amount of money for JB weld, brakeclean and some silicone for gasket material but you might have fun trying.
If you are going to use this engine for lots of driving, I would find another block. If it works you can then decide if you want to put more into it.
By now everyone thinks I have a couple of loose rods but its fun sitting around trying to think up possible fixes for some of the things that come up on the forum.
Best of luck with your project.

Post picture of the chip and the area that is cracked- you will get much better feedback.