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Engine Cracked block at freeze plug - is this serious?!

  • Thread starter Thread starter diesel farmer
  • Start date Start date Jul 30, 2023
D

diesel farmer

Active Member
Nov 11, 2021
103
15
28
Metamora, Illinois
Jul 30, 2023
#1
  • Jul 30, 2023
  • #1
See pictures. this is a 1990 5.0 block, which has a crack about 3.5“ in length as seen in the pictures by the freeze plug. I ground some of the area off to get a closer look at the crack. I removed the freeze plug and it appears the crack is through the block. I also attached one picture of the freeze plugs on the other side of the block, and looks like one freeze plug was repaired in the past, and none of the plugs appear to be original.

The fourth attached picture is of the water pump bolt that is split out and was leaking. I don’t know much about the engine history, but it was running when I removed from the car and the oil in the engine that was drained appeared to be in good shape. Am I correct that this crack is a serious problem? is there a way to safely repair the freeze plug location crack and continue to use the engine? Should I scrap this block and find another one?

My plan is (or was) to put a little more aggressive cam and some aluminum heads on it For a mild street build. Thanks For thoughts.
 

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96pushrod

I think they're a little easier to get off
5 Year Member
May 15, 2018
1,530
871
133
Savannah
Jul 30, 2023
#2
  • Jul 30, 2023
  • #2
Scrap, or turn into a sweet table.
 
Reactions: mustang90

limp

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done
5 Year Member
Oct 4, 2020
5,466
2,899
173
Florida
Jul 30, 2023
#3
  • Jul 30, 2023
  • #3
diesel farmer said:
My plan is (or was) to put a little more aggressive cam and some aluminum heads on it For a mild street build. Thanks For thoughts.
Click to expand...
Not on this block....
Based on your description it sounds like it froze and the previous owner tried to make it work to sell to someone else......
 
Last edited: Jul 30, 2023

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,926
10,572
203
polk county florida
Jul 30, 2023
#4
  • Jul 30, 2023
  • #4
Scrap.
Find another engine.
 
Reactions: mustang90
D

diesel farmer

Active Member
Nov 11, 2021
103
15
28
Metamora, Illinois
Jul 30, 2023
#5
  • Jul 30, 2023
  • #5
Not what I wanted to hear, but thanks for the reality check.
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
Admin Dude
Jan 4, 1985
43,091
21,275
234
Box behind Walmart
Jul 30, 2023
#6
  • Jul 30, 2023
  • #6
R.I.P. engine block
 

nickyb

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever
15 Year Member
Apr 3, 2009
2,979
1,626
153
nevada
Jul 31, 2023
#7
  • Jul 31, 2023
  • #7
You can try block to long it up to the crease plugs, it should work.
Disclaimer...... I have never tried this...
 

limp

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done
5 Year Member
Oct 4, 2020
5,466
2,899
173
Florida
Jul 31, 2023
#8
  • Jul 31, 2023
  • #8
You could try a few things ( JB Weld) if this was a running engine in a car to keep it going for a short while... As it sits to put 2 cents into it to reassemble it is a waste of money...
 
Reactions: diesel farmer

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,258
17,941
224
Massachusetts
Jul 31, 2023
#9
  • Jul 31, 2023
  • #9
Clean it up, paint it, turn it into this

 
Reactions: mustang90, diesel farmer and General karthief
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