friend and fellow binder nut is in the middle of rebuilding 345. just hot tanked motor and discovered small crack between #3 and 5 at bottom of water jacket. if there a preferred/recommended fix (which includes using the motor)?

The preferred/recommended fix would be make it into a boat anchor!

IH cores are cheap as hell. Get a "new" block and start over. Would you really want to put 2k into a block with known problems!

I agree... find another good core and build it.

Junk it.

I bought a 454 from somone on this board and when i pulled it apart I found a huge crack on the deck surface. Took it to a shop and they said that it would be around 500-1000 to fix and cant gurantee that it will solve the problem. The head gasket might not seat right, it might leak coolant......

thx all for input. am not surprised by responses and given the relative economics (blocks are cheap) why would you assume any risk. again, many thanks.

It's a good excuse to go Chebby.:D

Hey Lonnie, you need one?? I got a Shed load up here if you don't find one local (which would be hard to belive)

$50 for a short block (that includes crank/rods/pistons ect).


If your friend is intrested. If it turns out to be cracked, I'll swap for another.

appreciate offer and will pass it on of course. ( fyi - friend is working with dan hayes who i believe has some engines as well. However, am also aware of others who are comtemplating rebuilds and i will assume you do not mind if i mention your name as a resource).many thanks.

ps. do you have a 392 complete?

ya, Dan's a parts whore as well...


no problem on sending people my way..... I got too many right now, and have to move them (literaly, got to change storage location of them very soon).


no *complete* 392's right now... *might* have a running 392 IC here soon.... was planning on keeping it but if the price it right....