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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 74 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 74 | Hello Y'all
We found a 57 235 for sale but it has the follow issue:
"It does have a small crack in the water jacket below the exhaust manifold. The crack is only on the external side (never had any coolant in the oil) and was patched with epoxy."
Does this translate into a problem we should walk away from or is it worth taking a chance on?
I'm having trouble visualizing where the crack might be.
Any Advice?
Thanks! | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | It is very common for 235's to crack at the bottom of the water jacket. In this picture it is clear where they crack. I would only be interested in a cracked engine if I needed an engine quick to run the rest of it's life out of. I would not buy one that I was going to rebuild.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 | Sometimes the epoxy holds well and sometimes not. The crack can be stitch welded by a competent welder. Unless it's dirt cheap
I'd walk away. The most to pay in my estimation is 100 bucks.
There are plenty of inlines out there to look at.
Drew
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,775 | To be honest, 235's are fairly easy to come by. Heck, I have 3 of them.
This website is a good place to locate one, or even call a local hot rod shop or car club. Somebody may have one in the corner of the shed.
I would find another block. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 74 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 74 | Holy Crack! That's a great pic, I see now.
Result = scrap metal
Thanks guys! | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,275 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,275 | I wouldn't buy a block with a crack in it. Having said that, I have been running a 216 with a long crack in the water jacket for 25 years. I had it welded which slowed it down. I added some stop-leak and reduced it to a tiny weep. Since the radiator cap is only 4 pounds, there doesn't seem to a lot of pressure on the crack. Maybe over time, the naturally occurring sludge will seal it up even more. I am just not ready to give up on the ole gal yet.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 |
Dave,
I have a 1954 235 truck (Hydra-Matic) engine with a crack like that. I assume it is a result of no anti-freeze in a cold winter?
I have a 261 that had a 1-inch crack in the block (2/3 of the way up the manifold side). I drilled deep dimples at each end of the crack, then cut a deep v-groove along the crack; then cleaned and roughed and cleaned the metal around the crack, and then applied JB Weld - about 13 years ago. No leak since then.
I would not buy an engine with a crack, but I'd try to save one that I know runs well.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 |
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | |
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