The Ford Barn - Cracked block "Bad Deal"

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Cracked block "Bad Deal"

Sorry, kind of long. Needed to vent.
I am in the process of getting my flathead built for my 38 Ford pickup.
I purchased a complete engine and disassembled it (Mercury block and crank) and delivered to machine shop. It looked like an excellent block but failed miserably on the pressure test to the point of not using that block.

I put out a post on some sites looking for an 8BA block. I found several but a long distance away. I was contacted by a hot rod business in the greater Dallas area specializing in flatheads and old car parts. Told me he had a short block if I was interested and was coming out my way and would deliver free for $300 for basically a block , standard Ford crank and flywheel that was still in it. We conversed back and forth multiple times with pictures and I circled some spots to ask about. I was told they were grease or cob webs and there were no obvious cracks, even the minor normal ones, and he said he tried to get picture to show that it wasn't. He delivered the block wrapped up and lifting chains still bolted on under wrapping. Unloaded and I was going to set on engine stand and unwrap an give chains back. He said no he would get them later as he wanted to purchase some other parts I had at a later date and could send back then.
Next morning put on stand and unwrapped turned over on head side and stopped. There were 2 cylinders with cracks in them and one area between the valve cracked under seat all the way through to valve port area and the other has been welded it looks like. I contacted and he said didn't know how he missed that but would look locally to try and get another block or had another back at shop.

I had been contacted after I had made the above deal by someone local but was to late with other deal made. So now I contacted and ended up buying this one as it was complete engine fan to driveshaft for $400. I told the other guy I got this one and offered for him to give me the $400 I paid for this and he could have his short block back and could have all the other parts from the one I got to help offset his cost and probably still make money or refund my original $300 and take his block back, since he said he would try and find one locally. I thought that was a more than fair deal. Wow, did I judge him wrong, he blasted said I demanded and whatever then quit communicating.

At this point I am glad I didn't get another block from this vendor.

What I was told I was buying ( great block, no obvious cracks) was NOT what I received. I understand these blocks have cracks that is why I asked. I would not have bought if I had been shown the cracks in cylinders and under valve seats and pinned cracks. If it looked as good as I was lead to believe and failed after hot dipping and pressure testing and magnaflux then I would have had no issue, luck of the draw. But, either in haste of getting ready to bring or .... I felt what I was lead to believe and what I received I felt a refund was in order. So I will never use this vendor again.

I am going to get rid of this block, last one I bought was great. Question is is it worth anything to someone wanting to put the expense of trying to repair or is it an art project?

Lesson learned always open and inspect 100% before taking possession.