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Small crack in my 426 block, Should I worry?? #1157759 01/15/12 01:43 PM 01/15/12 01:43 PM
Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 579 Wattsburg, Pa D Dr V OP mopar
Dr V OP mopar D Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 579 Wattsburg, Pa	Hello all, i developed a bit of a lump in my throat yesterday after torquing my heads back onto my freshly rebuilt 69 426. Long story short I didnt port and flow the heads when I had the motor built. Call it a dumb decision. Anyways, I had them done, I followed the torque pattern given by my builder. At the end of the last round of 70 ft lbs I noticed a small crack in the block where the stud from the head mounts. The stud looks a little crooked but nothing was stripped, just a little off center. Everything else is tight and looks great. Im definitely no engine builder (tooth mechanic is my specialty), so I figured I would ask the experts. The crack is about 1/4 inch long above the nut and washer. I am calling my builder tmrw too. Thanks 69 1/2 A12 BEE 4 spd 1968 Charger 383 1970 Roadrunner 440+6 Survivor 2019 Redeye 2005 FORD GT Red/White 2017 Viper ACR Extreme Red/White 1979 Branco Red/Red 2018 Porsche GT3 Miami 1971 440+6 Cuda 4 speed V2 2020 Sebring Orange Vette 1979 Chevy Boogie Hippie Van

Re: Small crack in my 426 block, Should I worry?? [Re: Dr V] #1157760 01/15/12 01:49 PM 01/15/12 01:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,976 Chilliwack B.C. Canada R RUNCHARGER I Live Here
RUNCHARGER I Live Here R Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,976 Chilliwack B.C. Canada	I only torque those to 35. It looks like it will split all the way up. I'd be tempted to pull the head and drill a hole at the end of the crack before it runs further. Then keep an eye on it. Sheldon

Re: Small crack in my 426 block, Should I worry?? [Re: RUNCHARGER] #1157761 01/15/12 02:07 PM 01/15/12 02:07 PM
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 2,008 Sweet Home Alabama M MRMOPAR622 top fuel
MRMOPAR622 top fuel M Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 2,008 Sweet Home Alabama	If it were mine I would pull it apart and fix it while it can still be fixed. I am almost positive it will only get worse,I have been a welder for 25+ plus years. But 1st wait and see what some of the others have to say,I am sure you are not the only one to ever have this happen. I hope they all tell you its fine leave it along nothing to worry about,but best to 1st make sure. "To Be The Man'You Have Got To Beat The Man" "T/D and Pro-Bracket Racer"

Re: Small crack in my 426 block, Should I worry?? [Re: MRMOPAR622] #1157762 01/15/12 02:40 PM 01/15/12 02:40 PM
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 2,008 Sweet Home Alabama M MRMOPAR622 top fuel
MRMOPAR622 top fuel M Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 2,008 Sweet Home Alabama	Another way to look at things is its already torque down,if the heat does not open the crank wider no problem. Take and drill a small hole at the base of the crack not all the way through,put you some paper towels around the bottom and clean the area with brake cleaner and put a coat or 2 of JB-Weld starting about 1 1/2"-2" on each side of it. Not a big fan of JB-Weld but in this case it might work. At this point your only other option is to pull it apart and weld it or leave it along & just maybe the JB-Weld will give it enough strength to hold. Last edited by MRMOPAR570; 01/15/12 02:49 PM. "To Be The Man'You Have Got To Beat The Man" "T/D and Pro-Bracket Racer"

Re: Small crack in my 426 block, Should I worry?? [Re: MRMOPAR622] #1157763 01/15/12 02:50 PM 01/15/12 02:50 PM
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,103 East Coast, NJ F fig426 top fuel
fig426 top fuel F Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,103 East Coast, NJ	Take it apart and fix it. It's a pain, but, better than if it does crack more. Could be carnage if a piece broke and fell off,,, which probably won't hapen... but... is it worth the chance? Chris from New Jersey

Re: Small crack in my 426 block, Should I worry?? [Re: fig426] #1157764 01/15/12 04:57 PM 01/15/12 04:57 PM
Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 12,588 Great Neck,LI,new york hemi-itis I Live Here
hemi-itis I Live Here Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 12,588 Great Neck,LI,new york	Pop the head now and repair.It's an easy weld and not a super critical location.If you don't fix it now,every time you hit the loud pedal,you will be thinking about that crack 7020175-014-Copy.JPG (68 downloads) HEMI-ITIS has no cure. My condition is fully BLOWN!!

Re: Small crack in my 426 block, Should I worry?? [Re: hemi-itis] #1157765 01/15/12 05:20 PM 01/15/12 05:20 PM
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 13,247 Mt. Vernon, Ohio dartman366 I Live Here
dartman366 I Live Here Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 13,247 Mt. Vernon, Ohio	Quote: Pop the head now and repair.It's an easy weld and not a super critical location.If you don't fix it now,every time you hit the loud pedal,you will be thinking about that crack uh yep, I fully agree. Light travels faster than the speed of sound,,,this is why some people seem bright untill you hear them speak.

Re: Small crack in my 426 block, Should I worry?? [Re: hemi-itis] #1157766 01/15/12 05:24 PM 01/15/12 05:24 PM
Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 3,082 St. Paul , Mn. tubtar master
tubtar master Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 3,082 St. Paul , Mn.	Quote: Pop the head now and repair.It's an easy weld and not a super critical location.If you don't fix it now,every time you hit the loud pedal,you will be thinking about that crack +2 They never fix them selves. And the results could be very very bad. Edited to add........... are we working on the forth owner - high mileage piece of junk that we drove in high school ? ( Well.......I did anyway ) or a nice car that is capable of providing hours of fun and entertainment ? My daily driver , I don't care so much. My baby ? I care a lot. Last edited by tubtar; 01/15/12 05:27 PM.

Re: Small crack in my 426 block, Should I worry?? [Re: tubtar] #1157767 01/15/12 07:00 PM 01/15/12 07:00 PM
Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 579 Wattsburg, Pa D Dr V OP mopar
Dr V OP mopar D Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 579 Wattsburg, Pa	Thats what I thought the best plan would be. Im pulling the head tonight. Will it take a conventional weld? My Dad has all of that stuff at his auto parts store, but neither of us has done this before... 69 1/2 A12 BEE 4 spd 1968 Charger 383 1970 Roadrunner 440+6 Survivor 2019 Redeye 2005 FORD GT Red/White 2017 Viper ACR Extreme Red/White 1979 Branco Red/Red 2018 Porsche GT3 Miami 1971 440+6 Cuda 4 speed V2 2020 Sebring Orange Vette 1979 Chevy Boogie Hippie Van

Re: Small crack in my 426 block, Should I worry?? [Re: Dr V] #1157768 01/15/12 07:20 PM 01/15/12 07:20 PM
Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 2,408 Ambridge, Pa. R rickraw top fuel
rickraw top fuel R Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 2,408 Ambridge, Pa.	i'd take it to someone who knows how to weld cast iron. just do as others mentioned, drill a small hole to stop the crack. don't over torque the bolt & u will be fine. seeya.

Re: Small crack in my 426 block, Should I worry?? [Re: rickraw] #1157769 01/15/12 07:39 PM 01/15/12 07:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,976 Chilliwack B.C. Canada R RUNCHARGER I Live Here
RUNCHARGER I Live Here R Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,976 Chilliwack B.C. Canada	If you want to weld it, I think it should be disassembled, repaired by a pro and then the adjoining bores checked for roundness and the deck checked for flatness. Thats why I would just drill a hole in the end of the crack and watch it. Cast iron welding near machined surfaces is not a backyard operation. JMO. Sheldon

Re: Small crack in my 426 block, Should I worry?? [Re: RUNCHARGER] #1157770 01/15/12 08:06 PM 01/15/12 08:06 PM
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 22,696 Bitopia J jcc If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
jcc If you can't dazzle em with diamonds.. J Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 22,696 Bitopia	Am I the only one that it seems to look like this boss has been repaired before, seems like there evidence of welding slag/inclusions, and the welded area was then ground smooth. If this is the case its to me means a bad repair, and will only get worse. Are there others with the same look, but not cracked? Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.

Re: Small crack in my 426 block, Should I worry?? [Re: jcc] #1157771 01/15/12 08:17 PM 01/15/12 08:17 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,976 Chilliwack B.C. Canada R RUNCHARGER I Live Here
RUNCHARGER I Live Here R Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,976 Chilliwack B.C. Canada	It does look worked. But it's hard to tell with these old castings and there is grinding on the valley possibly to aid oil drainback. Sheldon

Re: Small crack in my 426 block, Should I worry?? [Re: RUNCHARGER] #1157772 01/15/12 08:23 PM 01/15/12 08:23 PM
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 22,696 Bitopia J jcc If you can't dazzle em with diamonds..
jcc If you can't dazzle em with diamonds.. J Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 22,696 Bitopia	Actually I looked at the pic again, and there also looks like a color change, like nickel, which is a preferred CI rod filler for welding. I can't see why for oil drain back one would grind on a under load mounting boss, but not grind the area right next to it. Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.

Re: Small crack in my 426 block, Should I worry?? [Re: jcc] #1157773 01/15/12 08:24 PM 01/15/12 08:24 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 75,043 U.S.S.A. JohnRR I Win
JohnRR I Win Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 75,043 U.S.S.A.	Quote: Am I the only one that it seems to look like this boss has been repaired before, seems like there evidence of welding slag/inclusions, and the welded area was then ground smooth. If this is the case its to me means a bad repair, and will only get worse. Are there others with the same look, but not cracked? There has been a lot of grinding in that area , are the other head bolt bosses ground on like that? If not that one has definitely been worked before and as said it's only going to get worse.

Re: Small crack in my 426 block, Should I worry?? [Re: JohnRR] #1157774 01/15/12 09:23 PM 01/15/12 09:23 PM
Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 579 Wattsburg, Pa D Dr V OP mopar
Dr V OP mopar D Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 579 Wattsburg, Pa	Now that I looked at the other 7 some have a little bit of grinding on them. But.... This one in particular is exceptionally thin on the wall that cracked. I would bet that it has been touched before. My engine guy said that it was put together with mismatched parts and was pretty poorly assembled when he first cracked into it. Typical Barrett Jackson car, slap it together and get it to Scottsdale. LOL I will ask my guy tomorrow who the best to weld cast iron is in our area. I really dont want to remove the motor at all!!! 69 1/2 A12 BEE 4 spd 1968 Charger 383 1970 Roadrunner 440+6 Survivor 2019 Redeye 2005 FORD GT Red/White 2017 Viper ACR Extreme Red/White 1979 Branco Red/Red 2018 Porsche GT3 Miami 1971 440+6 Cuda 4 speed V2 2020 Sebring Orange Vette 1979 Chevy Boogie Hippie Van

Re: Small crack in my 426 block, Should I worry?? [Re: Dr V] #1157775 01/15/12 09:28 PM 01/15/12 09:28 PM
Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 3,502 SOUTH JERSEY HEMIFRED master
HEMIFRED master Joined: Jul 2010 Posts: 3,502 SOUTH JERSEY	Quote: I really dont want to remove the motor at all!!! DO IT RIGHT WHATEVER IT TAKES home of the Sox and Martin Hemi Duster

Re: Small crack in my 426 block, Should I worry?? [Re: Dr V] #1157776 01/16/12 01:22 AM 01/16/12 01:22 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 75,043 U.S.S.A. JohnRR I Win
JohnRR I Win Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 75,043 U.S.S.A.	Quote: I really dont want to remove the motor at all!!! You aren't going to fix it properly if that is the case .

Re: Small crack in my 426 block, Should I worry?? [Re: JohnRR] #1157777 01/16/12 11:27 AM 01/16/12 11:27 AM
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 413 Norway (old world) Oyvind Mopar mopar
Oyvind Mopar mopar Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 413 Norway (old world)	Could be that you can leave it, if it is thin there it would crack again after welding. If it is not cracked on the other side, and thicker there, maybe there is enough support already. I assume you have run without problems untill you saw the crack.... Worst will be that the crack is inside the boss,behind the nut. That could also happen if you start welding on this thing. My

Re: Small crack in my 426 block, Should I worry?? [Re: Oyvind Mopar] #1157778 01/16/12 12:21 PM 01/16/12 12:21 PM
Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,466 malvern, ohio 3 3ddart pro stock
3ddart pro stock 3 Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,466 malvern, ohio	i see your in the penn. area. get ahold of bob george as he knows his way around welders and 426s. dave

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