I was taking of exhaust manifolds and cleaning all the grease on the BBO 425 and noticed what looked like a repair on the side of the block. I am not sure take a look and tell me what you see to the left of the dipstick.

 

Looks like the block was cracked at one time and repaired by welding it..

 

thats pretty much what i thought...I think I know of a bare 1965 425 block for 150. I dont want to chance it.

 

+1. If it was just the water jacket, it may be okay.

Any bad symptoms?

- Eric

 

If you get another block you'll have to do a rebuild. I would drive as is, no telling how long ago it was done.. Looks like a good weld job.... Drive it.

 

If it's properly repaired, it's serviceable

 

I got this motor from someone else to put into a 1984 Hurst Olds. I was taking off manifolds and trying to clean it up and seen it. I haven't had it in the car yet.

 

take it to a machine shop have them check it, it may be ok

 

If it wasn't leaking before, it will be fine. This is just the cooling jacket.

 

I might have to take drivers side cylinder head off anyway. I snap the heads off of 2 of the exhaust manifold bolts , unless I can vice grip them out. I talked to previous owner and it was a water jacket repair.

 

I got one bolt out with some vice grips, penetrant, and heat. I might need to call someone for the other one. I might go get some PB blaster and soak it for a couple weeks and see if it will budge. I only have a MAPP gas torch to heat it up. The bolt is sticking out about 3/4" and all the threads are gone from trying to vice grip it out.

 

You need oxy/acetylene.
More heat should do the job without a problem - just heat judiciously, and don't set the car on fire.

- Eric

 

Looks like a water jacket that froze & cracked.As long as it was welded correctly,it should be fine.With cast iron,it should be heated up and glowing red,then welded.
If a block is cracked in that area,I just fill it with hard-block,block filler.which is basicly cement.
If you do end up switching blocks,and you have a 425,make sure you get a good match to swap.There are a few different 425 blocks,with different lifter bore sizes and lifter bore angles. You can also put the 425 internals into a 455 block.

 

Thanks I was looking for a 455 block as well. I know of none that's totally complete its a got J heads and has work done to it. I finally got all the rusted , broke exhaust bolts out. If anything I'll just go ahead with my build using the motor I got. Next thing will be to clean the motor up it has a lot of grime on it.