It's an expensive fix, but you can HeliCoil the threads. An oversize thread is tapped into the block, and a spring steel insert is threaded into the hole, restoring the thread to its original size. It's actually stronger than original. The downside is the cost, probably 25 bucks a hole or more, unless you buy the tap and the thread inserts and do it yourself. I use a home-brewed drill & tap fixture to make sure the thread stays square with the top of the block whem I'm doing that job.
I put HeliCoils in all the head bolt threads on a Chevy 350 round track block after one of my competitors over-torqued all his head bolts. He stripped at least a third of them when he tried to build the engine with a bad case of Budweiser fever in progress, and set his torque wrench 30 Ft. lbs. too high. I would have stopped after the first stripped thread, but I don't build engines drunk!
Pits on the deck area- - - - -mill the top of the block, unless they're really deep. If it won't clean up, you've got a boat anchor!
Jerry
