Is this a casting flaw?

[Old2New]

I found this on one of my lifter bores. Is this a deformation or a crack? I took a pick to the inside of the lifter bore and its not cracked through. Infact, it looks like a casting flaw. Has anyone else seen something like this before? The engine is a 1968 390FE, block number C7ME-A.

 

[Dobie Gillis]

I vote for casting flaw. It looks too regular to be a crack. You should magnaflux it just to be sure.

 

[Old2New]

I vote for casting flaw. It looks too regular to be a crack. You should magnaflux it just to be sure.

That was my reasoning. Is this a high stress area? My guess is that this block was cast on a monday or friday evening

 

[Dobie Gillis]

Lifter bores aren't high stress areas unless the lifter is rocking back and forth. If that's the case you have more serious issues. The bores can and do wear but can be sleeved back to the original dimension.

 

[scicala]

Cracks aren't a perfectly shaped arc like that. Plus cracks do not have a recess on both sides of the crack like that. I'm sure it's just the way the casting came out.

Sal

 

[Old2New]

Alright, thanks everyone. My guess was that its a casting flaw. As long as it doesn't pose a risk then I'm good with it.

 

[5851a]

I've seen that on later small blocks and just thought it was a pouring flaw. Don't think there is a lot of stress in lifter bores, I once used a set of these in a 390 build.