Way back in the late 50's I stuck a rod through the block on a Chevy 265. An old time welder patched it back with some kind of rod and I drilled and tapped a couple pan bolt holes in the repair and I ran it for years and sold it to a guy that ran it for more years, I guess it worked. I do know he didn't pre-heat it just started the 600 amp welder and burned in the 5/8" rod.
