The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop is a 270 with cracked block worth fixing?

I found a cheep 270 with cracked block that sombody fixed with JB weld is that stuff very tuff? or would I be better off saving the head and related parts and buying a short block

A crack is just the obvious problem with the block. What other distortions of the engine can't you see? I would scrap it and continue the search.
Scott

I depends on what you want to use it for. I did one that I just use around the farm. So far so good.

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Good luck, Cletis

Luke I'm not sure where Newport, Washington is...

There was a guy at the ATHS show in Shelton, Washington, last year that had a couple of 302s he was willing to sell for just a couple hundred.

I talked to him, but didn't get his name or number, but I suspect if you talk around a little it won't be hard to find a 270 that will make this broken one seem like a real bad idea.

Im gonna keep this one for parts and look for a nother 270 or 302
(oldsub Newport WA is right on the WA ID border about 45 minute from Spokane is that ATHS show the same place every year or does it travel around?}

Luke, I bought a PU with a cracked block, and I was told by the seller and a welder, it could be repaired. After delivering the truck to the welding shop, it was determined that it could not be welded. So before I pulled the engine, I thought I would try JB WEld. I called JB Weld and they said it would work if I cleaned the area good before applying the JB Weld. It took one pack of JB Weld, about $4. and it is working so far. Cheap fix and may be permanent. So.....you have little to loose by trying the JB Weld, and if you don't have further problems with other areas, you have a cheap fix too. Good luck.

As far as I know this one is the same place every year. There is another one earlier in the year (already happened this year) in the tri-cities area.

And there could be others...

Hey Steve: How long has it been since you JB Welded it? I'm curoius. john.

stevec,

i've got the same question as steppenwood, how long ago did you JB weld it and does it freeze in the winter where you're at ( i.e. does JB weld put up with antifreeze?).

thanks,

rotty

I just used it a couple of months ago. I'm in MS, but I plan to use anti freeze. The cause of the busted block was cold weather. Suggest you look at JB's website or call them.

All I can say for sure is so far, so good.

Here's a better alterntive than JB weld. Use Devcon Epoxy Steel. It's sold by industrial supply places, and is considerably more durable and stronger than JB. I've repaired cracked blocks and other castings such as industrial pump housings, etc., and it gives very good results, IF the casting is thoroughly cleaned first. Bead blasting is good, followed by a steam cleaning or pressure-wash to get all the beadblast residue off. The epoxy must make a good bond with the pores of the casting, or seep leaks result. I've also seen a steel plate installed over a crack, by drilling and tapping a series of machine screw holes on both sides of the crack, and sandwiching the Devcon between the plate and the block. For an invisible repair of a crack, spread the epoxy evenly over the crack and press a piece of 40 grit sandpaper over the repair when it's about half-cured. The texture matches the casting surface almost exactly.
Jerry

I've heard of "fixing" an old motor with a cracked block by flushing it out with clear water, removing the themostat, running it until it was hot and dumping plain old table black pepper in the radiator. The black pepper is fine enough to fill the crack and doesn't dissolve. I suppose it would have to be done on occasion. Any of you "ole timers" out there ever try this?