Bad news from the machine shop

[eejay56]

My machinist called yesterday afternoon and my block is cracked So instead of 2 engines I have a broken engine and a pile of parts. Now I have to take the other engine apart and get it to the shop. Hopefully I can get it in there Saturday.

 

[TR4]

Oh how I feel your pain. Best of luck to you on the next block.

 

[tdskip]

Bummer Eric - sorry to hear it.

 

[Tinster]

Bummer Eric - sorry to hear it.

ibid

tinster

 

[billspit]

I'm not too familiar with the Spitfire blocks cracking, unless you consider a thrown rod through the block a crack. They do like to do that.

 

[foxtrapper]

Cracks are not automatically the death of a block, many times they can be repaired. Be it welding or stitching.

 

[RonMacPherson]

Agree with FoxTrapper.

Find a machine shop that does Heavy Duty stuff, construction equipment, semis, etc. Or an old timer welder. They can usually weld up these blocks no problem.

A while back MoPar had problems with their little dohc 2.4 engine with the head being eroded away by a gasket failure. Mopar dealers want to automatically replace the head. But there is a machine shop locally that welded these heads back up and machined them down for a lot less than a new head.

Research a good machine/welding shop. It'll save you money and hassle.

 

[eejay56]

I've read mixed opinions on welding blocks. I'll keep this one and look into it for my next rebuild. Fortunately I happen to have another one ...hahndeee.

 

[Bugeye58]

Just where and how is it cracked, Eric?
Jeff

 

[Tinkerman]

Good luck on the rebuild. Always a bummer when something like that happens! Good that you had a spare.

Tinkerman

 

[myspitfire]

YEP,He's right my Plymouth Horizon TC3 blew an(its)aluminum head on the way to Cleveland in 1978,hooked it to RollingAcres Dodge in Akron they welded it & machined it backed to specs we were good to go Chrysler paid.
I remember that,good thing it was summer.It was a German VW engine,their after Chrysler started producing there own 2.2L engines,instead of depending on Rabbit engines.

 

[eejay56]

Just where and how is it cracked, Eric?
Jeff

I haven't seen it yet. I will when I take the other block down hopefully Monday.

 

[racingenglishcars]

I'm not too familiar with the Spitfire blocks cracking

I will say that I experienced with my 1978 MG Midget (Spit 1500 engine) that the block cracked completely in half. When I pulled it apart only an end plate, the oil pan and the head held the two halves together. It was driving but leaked a lot of oil and had a tapping noise.