Engine builder noticed a crack between freeze plugs. There a reliable source for Buick 350 blocks? Should I try a repair? I asked the builder to do a pressure test, and we'll go from there.
There are many 350 Buick blocks available on the cheap. The issue is usually proximity of the seller and buyer.
My two favorite Craigslist searches are 350 Buick and 455 Buick. A couple months ago I picked up a complete 72 350 for $50 and a 455 shortblock for $100. Plenty of surface rust on the 455, but the lifter bore area looked great with almost no core shift. They’re out there. It pays to be patient and keep searching. That reminds me. I’ve been watching a couple 350’s for almost a year now. He started at $450 on one and $600 on the other. Right now they are at $200 each. I’m planning on grabbing them when I have some spare cash laying around and the extra time. They are about an hour and a half away.
If you were near Des Moines, Iowa I'd tell you about a guy that fixes cracked blocks and heads. He fixed a cracked head for a 3 cylinder diesel I fixed. Did great work. But like others said if you watch Craig's list you could probably get a block cheap.
Seen this repair many times in boat motors that freeze. I wouldn't let just anyone do it though..........most are old timers that know how to do it right.
I would bet the block in the original post froze looking at the crack. Problem with looking for old timers is that they are passing into history. This has been discussed in many threads. The repair is not hard to do. That said I would find a machine shop that does block repair if a good block is not available or this happened to an original block.
Not sure what this repair would run, the ones I've seen were hard to find blocks from rare boats that time tried to forget. But pin and stitches when done correct will seal and stoo the crack from growing Neat video . Bever seen it performed......doesn't look all that hard.......just need to correct tool
No way, especially as plentiful as 350's are unless it was a numbers matching block and even then I still might just set it aside and build a different one.
Just find another block. I have a dozen Buick 350s here. I shipped one to Washington a few months ago. You should be able to find one locally. If you have trouble I have bare blocks ready to ship.
Wow I haven't gotten any update notification on my email, sorry for not responding. I haven't been able to find a block in my area and this one is original to my truck so I'd honestly prefer to repair it. Stitching seems complicated and out of my skill range. Right now an epoxy patch is the plan, but silver soldering seems like a better option. Is there a reason nobody has suggested it??? My only negative thought is the heat possibly distorting a cylinder...
