21 Stud 37mod

[bobH]

Originally Posted by JSeery

Nothing on the blocks is more irritating (and expensive) than putting a lot of effort into machine work and ending up with a hidden crack!

This cost me the price of a complete engine job. My machinist (and engine builder) did the magnaflux, but not the pressure test. He is a very experienced flathead guy, and I trusted his call, and at the time, never thought of the pressure test. Anyway, it cost me. There were hidden leaks, causing water to exit via the RF exhaust port. Found this out after the engine was 100% complete, and on his engine run stand, for final checkout run. I paid the bill, and came home with nothing. Point is, I agree with above post that suggests a pressure test.
We speculated (engine builder and I) that my block was stored with the right front being lowest, and it was eaten out from inside rust. Besides the hidden leaks, it also leaked through numerous holes that put water into the timing gear area. The block material looked quite thin, where we could see. And, the decision was, even if we could fix the holes (at least the visible ones), we couldn't trust the block because it looked so thin in that area. (This was on a 59A block)