Need your opinions........

I'm searching for a particular block and I believe I found one (partially complete) but I can't read the cast number. Not sure if it wasn't cast good or if its from corrision, just looks like egyptian markings.

Anyhow the heads on this engine are junk. The ex manifold bolts rotted off, the bolt holes in the heads for the studs are completely rotted away, just alot of corrosion. This is no big deal since I'm getting some scj's from Lem and I plan on building a stroker.

What I'm concerned about is not being able to read the cast markings and if it is because of corrision is the block weakened. I hate to waste $200 on it, strip it, hot tank it and find out that is junk.

You know the block doesn't look as bad as the heads by any means. A repair shop has this and they performed an engine swap for a customer because the exhaust manifolds were leaking. Has anyone ever run across a block that was junk because of corrosion? I haven't but I don't work on this stuff as such on a daily basis. Suppose to be out of a 95 F-350 or 450, fuel injected and have like 60,000 miles on it.

Salt and heat are nasty to stuff like bolts and such. I would be certain that it is a D9TE block if they are giving you the proper application. The block that I am using in my 552 is a D9 block that was at a friends shop. It was an old irrigation unit that was severely abused. The frost plugs were rotted out and the water jackets were full of mud. It cleaned up real nice and sonic checked to be fine up to a 4.5" bore.

Once you get a look inside then you will know what you have. There certainly isn't anything wrong with a good D9 block. You really need to pull the heads and pan to see how bad or good the inside is. IMO

schmitty wrote: I would be certain that it is a D9TE

Yeah, that's the block I'm looking for.

hotrodmerc wrote:Once you get a look inside then you will know what you have. There certainly isn't anything wrong with a good D9 block. You really need to pull the heads and pan to see how bad or good the inside is. IMO

I won't be able to pull heads in order to check anything out. So I'm kinda out on a limb on this. Thanks.

C'mon guys, give me some info - I need some help ! Thanks to you guys that answered back.

If you can turn it over by hand then it's probably ok.

Heck D9 blocks are easy to find, why start out with one that may be a POS?

Be sure to have it sonic checked EVERYWHERE if you intend to bore it a bunch, especially near the bottom of the water hackets in the bores, because if it's as rusted and corroded as you say, the bores within the water jackets may have a few small thin spots.
After boring, be sure to have it pressure checked BEFORE going onward with more machining.

schmitty wrote:Heck D9 blocks are easy to find, why start out with one that may be a POS?

X2

Yeah, I think I'll pass on this one

Thanks guys!

bigblockfox468 wrote:Yeah, I think I'll pass on this one

Thanks guys!

I see you live in michigan... I have no idea what they charge (but they have flat rates on all parts posted)... but the two "parts galore" junkyards in detroit always have several cars (70's) and late model trucks and vans with 460s in them... I was going to them about once a week for a few months looking for a part for a project and always took note of the vehicles with 460s and C6s... that might be a place to look if you cant find one on craigs list.

Shane

TorinoGT wrote:

bigblockfox468 wrote:Yeah, I think I'll pass on this one

Thanks guys!

I see you live in michigan... I have no idea what they charge (but they have flat rates on all parts posted)... but the two "parts galore" junkyards in detroit always have several cars (70's) and late model trucks and vans with 460s in them

Where you talking?

The "parts galore" junk yards... they are U pick style, organized by brand etc... one is on 8 mile near hoover and the other is on w warren n livernois.... I like the places cause they are well organized, posted prices and relatively clean for a junkyard!

Shane

You might give Paul Kane a shout, he usually has some decent bargains on blocks and shipping isn't all that much. Heck you could have him bore it to size for you before shipping too.

If you were not so far away I have a good D9TE block here.