The Old Opportunity Motor

[Russ/40]

The opportunity to learn a new skill was at hand today. You may remember my"A" block that I had such hopes for it. Well I took another step. Decided to clean the insides a bit better than the "shake and Bake" did. Set the block up nice and level and proceeded to fill it with vinegar. I was met with a fountain of vinegar springing from the back side of the block. OH POOP! Dumped the vinegar out and explored the leaking spot, Poked it with an ice-pick and the hole got bigger. Proceeded to plug the leak and filled the block with water to let it sit overnight to check for other leaks.
No leaks in the morning so I started working on the back of the block. Opened the hole to dime size due to the extremely thin wall of the block. I silver soldered a copper plug for the back hole, then went to work on the crack as seen below. Learned a lot about stitching. The crack was 3 1/2" long. I started in the middle and stitched to the right end, went back to the middle and completed the process to the left. Learned quickly how deep to set the screws. No deeper that the wall thickness, which is a problem on this "Wonderful" block.
The stitching went pretty good, used 22 screws or plugs, what ever they are, and had a good result.
I have concluded the whole experience has prepared me for a skill I hope I never have to use again. I have concluded this block does not warrant any further expense and is not going to be rebuilt. Chalk it up to experience, examine the water-jackets closely, and access rust damage. Walls seriously rusted - too risky to spend on Babbit.