salvaged block ...DEAL??

Grumpy · Feb 10, 2018

one of the local guys found a 454 bbc block listed on the local craigs list for $100,
the guy selling it was willing to bring it over to his home for a visual inspection.
he looked it over, found nothing obviously damaged and paid the guy.
the guy helped him move the block from his pick-up truck bed , he brought it over in, too his cars trunk,that he brought it over to my garage, I used my engine crane to lift it out and hold it while we mounted it on a spare engine stand to inspect it...(too many years of lower back issues to try lifting it out of the trunk while leaning over now that I'm 70)
he brought the block over and I looked it over , I suggested using the pressure cleaner to remove the paint, rust and grease, he decided to bring it to a local machine shop after our discussion...
I then grabbed a carpenters square , and a bore gauge,

and some thread cleaning taps.
the result was that it was rather obvious the internal coolant passages were badly rusted.
if you want to be sure you get all the metallic trash removed,removing gaskets and using a thread tap to clean bolt holes followed by a solvent spray wash and a long tip high pressure air nozzle blowing the passages dry and clear, of solvent and clear of debris, along with the ling spray nozzle ,high pressure air, solvent and the vacuum is a hard combo to beat

and the head bolt threaded holes did not appear to be in good condition, I strongly suggested he get the block hot tanked and professionally sonic tested and checked for cracks,
but I have a feeling that there may be something rather wrong, as the low price and the seemingly ease of the seller to take the $100 and rapidly disappear ,
VERIFY THE BLOCK DECKS NOT WARPED

A CARPENTERS SQUARE , A BRIGHT LIGHT AND FEELER GAUGES CAN BE USED TO CHECK IF THE BLOCK DECK OR CYLINDER HEAD MATING SURFACE IS SQUARE AND NOT WARPED

were both clues that something is potentially less than ideal....time will tell.
many things can be repaired or re-machined but there are areas that are not obvious that can make a block that at first looks too be in great condition to be in reality almost worthless junk.
publix markets sells formula 23 grease solvent in the detergent isles
RENTING OR BUYING A PRESSURE WASHER CAN BE VERY HELPFUL

salvaged block ...DEAL??

Grumpy

The Grumpy Grease Monkey mechanical engineer.