Cracked block

1

1949f1

Member
I was driving my 1953 Mercury the other day to a little town maybe 10 miles from my place, I was almost there when the heat gauge pegged all the way to max I pulled off the side of the road, when I killed the motor it was smoking real bad took a while for the radiator to cool off. We let it cool then added water and drove it a mile or so down the road to my friends house, by the time we got there it was already blowing out water. We added more water after we let it cool again then cranked it with no radiator cap and got a pretty good geyser. I pulled the head off today found no cracks around the valve seats but there was water on the first 3 Pistons from front on the passenger side. The passenger side is the only side that got hot it got so hot it baked the paint off the head. The only crack I found was in between a head bolt whole and a hole for the water jacket? Time for a new block?
 
Hi Everyone. 1949f1, Short answer, Yes. Motivated owners can have cracks repaired, but plan A is a good pressure tested block.
 
I think the crack you are describing is what is referred to as a "part number crack" (it's so common that they say that crack has it's own part number from Ford). They are not fatal. I'd check the head gasket and the head itself (for cracks). You may have gotten lucky.
 
Nothing there. How should I go about fixing it? What would it cause? I know that the head is warped now. Which I believe was causing the exhaust in the coolant.
 
I'm honestly hoping to avoid a rebuild is that at all possible? I see now what caused it to overheat. The water jackets were full of this fine black powder.
 
Get the heads resurfaced and install with new gaskets and go through the correct tightening sequence. Good to go. A crack from stud to water hole is of no consequenc, most blocks have them, pay it no mind.
You just blew a head gasket from your description. And from your description, absolutely no need for another block.
Martin.
 
And you did a critically important thing.....
You let it cool before you put water in.
Many people cause major damage by adding cold water to a really hot engine.
 
Sounds like you may have dodged a bullet. A head gasket is cheaper than a total rebuild. Autozone has them for about $19.
I would replace the gasket as advised and then run it, with caution and see if it overheats.
Don't for get to change the oil...lol
 
Might what to consider a new head depending on how warped it is. Or remove the other head and have them both resurfaced. Would also be a good idea to clear/flush the block/radiator out as best you can. And, as already stated, check the thermostats to be sure they are working properly.
 
It's also important to periodically check the torque on your heads. Especially if you run aluminum heads, a re-torque one or twice a year is preventive maintenance.
 
im running stock 8CM cast iron heads. Im hoping you are right i just dont see any where else that it cracked. im waiting on napa to get a head gasket, and as soon as I get out of school today will pull a head off a spare block. Any suggestions as to how to keep the spare from rusting? i guess i could drive with only one head:p:rolleyes::D
P.S. Im sory about my inexperience with this stuff im 18 and this is also my first car.
 
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You could have the block pressure tested, but it would be cheaper and easier to just try another head. Be sure the new head you use is square and flat. Also make sure the matting surface is as clean and spotless and flat as you can get it. The block surface needs to be clean and flat as well.
 
I'm definitely not wanting to tear it down to have it pressure tested if it comes to that i guess it'll have to be moth balled.
 
JSeery said:
You could have the block pressure tested, but it would be cheaper and easier to just try another head. Be sure the new head you use is square and flat. Also make sure the matting surface is as clean and spotless and flat as you can get it. The block surface needs to be clean and flat as well.
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Heed JSeery's advise here. I bought my first early Ford when I was 18. It is the Model A Victoria you see in my avatar. I restored that car myself with some technical help from a local man. I'm 36 now and there are 5 early Ford cars now in my garage. We're all glad to see you here and interested in these vehicles. Post some photos if you can.
 
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