59A Engine update

[MikeTaylor]

The bad news came today, 2 cracks in the block . Oh well, on to plan 2 which is a '50 8BA to disassemble and get checked, I'm nothing if not stubborn.
I'd like to keep the look of the 59 and I've read the huge data base on CR's where it gives CR's for 59 AL heads on an 8BA so I assume that's possible. Does it require any mods?
Will a cam swap work too for a front mounted distributor? Any mods there?

As always, all comments are appreciated,
Mike

 

[flatjack9]

Where are the cracks? The 59 heads can be mounted on the 8BA. There is a water hole at the front on each side that has to be blocked. The cam swap is no problem either. The front cover is a direct swap. I would change the gear on the front of the crank to the 59 gear.

 

[Mart]

Some cracks are liveable with, some are a death knell. It depends where they are.

Mart.