Need advise.

[paulrowe]

Hi guys the block I'm about to purchase for $400 has bern fully machined .030 and is fully ready to assemble. Its line bored, decked new cam bearings, frost plugs, and align honed. Also has been torque plate honned. The only weird issue is somebody has tapped 2 5/16 holes just below the oil rail for a dipstick relocation. This concerns me a bit. I was thinking of drilling them out and plugging them with a 1/8 pipe plug? Do you guys think this will be ok? Or should I pass. I don't think it's too big a deal but I value your experience. The photo shows the two holes. Any advise would be appreciated. Other than that it seems like a really good deal. Im in Canada so things are more expensive. Also i forgot to say its a SBC 400. My last block didn't clean up and im at my witts end.

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[1987 GMC Jimmy]

I’d like @Rusty Nail ‘s input on this as a former 400 SBC owner/operator.

 

[bucket]

Do the holes even go all the way through? I see a notch in the pan rail, like those were just mounting holes for the dipstick tabs.

If they do go all the way through, just run short bolts in with some thread sealer. It's really no different than the bolt hole for the fuel pump rod.

 

[paulrowe]

Yes they do go all the way thru. So do you think this won't cause any issues? Just plug them up and don't worry.

 

[bucket]

Yes they do go all the way thru. So do you think this won't cause any issues? Just plug them up and don't worry.

That's what I'd do. With no intent to ever use those holes, I'd probably use JB Weld as a thread sealer.

 

[HotRodPC]

I'd try to find those allen head small plug screws and jb weld them in for a permanent fix. Not being sure if they'd enter into a water jacket or not and restrict flow at all. 400's need all the help they can get cooling.

 

[paulrowe]

Thanks guys im going to go ahead and buy it. I'm having a hard time we these 400's but I made up my mind to build one and I am going to get it done.

 

[paulrowe]

I'll check and see if its in a water jacket. If it is I'll pipe plug it with a shallow thread if not I'll do the JB weld. Does that sound like a plan?

 

[WarlVlachine]

I'll check and see if its in a water jacket. If it is I'll pipe plug it with a shallow thread if not I'll do the JB weld. Does that sound like a plan?

You’re definitely on the right track. Hopefully they aren’t tapped to some off the wall pitch. Or tapped poorly, you said it looked clean though. That’s a sign of decent work. Best of luck.

 

[bucket]

I'll check and see if its in a water jacket. If it is I'll pipe plug it with a shallow thread if not I'll do the JB weld. Does that sound like a plan?

If it goes into the water jacket AND the crank case, it would need plugged on both sides.

 

[paulrowe]

This is a text I received from the gentleman selling the block.


If the deck of the block was straight and not rusty I normally would not resurface. For example... The last 3 sets of heads I had done, 2 sets were resurfaced the 3 rd set was not. The block you are interested in came to me as a BLOCK ONLY. I did not know the history of it, and did not get the opportunity to see the crank, pistons, etc so had no way of knowing if it was any good. I can get a pretty good read on stuff if I am the guy disassembling it. I thought I better send this one in and have it checked, And it passed withe flying colors. Pressure tested bothe sides oil and water jackets.

Judging by this message I'm assuming its safe to say its not into the water jacket. Do you think its its okay that the deck was not resurfaced? Here's the deck pictures.

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[paulrowe]

So I bought the block! Hoping all is good with it when it arrives. Any opinions on using the stock 5.565 rods? I've heard that a 5.7 is better but this is a low rpm build.

 

[paulrowe]

Also it turns out the holes are not right thru. They just go into the water jacket. So I guess plugging them won't be such a big deal after all.

 

[Rusty Nail]

Dude.
All that jazz in the first post is WIN CITY.
Later you stated that it was what you want to do and that's what's going to happen, which I support 100%.
For that price? A steal!
I would do it not even knowing the casting number...it doesn't matter. Those holes aren't gonna bother anyone and it sounds right as rain.
I would NOT seal them permanently though...what happens when you figure out what they are for?
Haha!
It's a small block Chevy dude, put it together and run it!

Thanks 87.

 

[paulrowe]

Thanks Rusty! I'm going to do just that.