i doubt the machine shop cracked the block. i took in a 292 block had it mag'ed and it didn't even show a crack near the water jacket till i was into the rebuild. i think it's pretty common. i also think it's pretty common to have hairline cracks and they run fine. if you go in he should be able to show the crack to you if he can't BEWARE. he prob will. why don't you let him do the machine work and you get the parts and install them. that would save you money and any machine shop should be able to do that. i personally have not had good luck with "kits". just find another used motor and let him grind and check crank, recon rods, bore/ hone block, valve job, balance the spinning assembly when you have all your stuff. i don't think they are like a brake shop, i take new pistons in to have installed on rods and lots of new parts into machine shops. what's wrong with that? does he even need to see the gasket kit?
