Sloppy mistake leads to cracked block

[jman050]

I am posting this hopefully as a learning experience for anyone that wasn't sure this was possible and maybe get some insight as to how severe this really is.

While I was tired and rushing I failed to clean all of the penetrating fluid out from the threaded insert for the head bolts. It seems I created a hydraulic pressure that split the end of the insert and relieved the pressure to the outside of the block. I finished installing the heads and the headstuds hold the appropriate amount of torque. It seems the crack is only from the threaded insert to the outside of the block.

My instincts right now are telling me this crack will gradually get worse until the threaded insert pulls away from the block.

[fasteract7]

Any chance getting in there with a TIG might hold things together ?

[jman050]

Originally Posted by fasteract7

Any chance getting in there with a TIG might hold things together ?

That's what I'm hoping. My next day off I'm going to clean it up some more and bring photos to a welding shop and see what my options are. I'm sure it's possible to repair. I'd prefer to not have to strip it down to bare block halves again but not sure of the requirements for preheat for cast aluminum of that size.

[YourConfused]

That would be an easy repair but you would need to have rubber and plastic items removed from the area for 6 inches or so. I've done wheels, blocks, propellers, boat hulls, heads etc and this looks like a easy fix to me. Good luck.