LB block repairable (or can it be)?????

S

swedishsteel

Senior Member
I have a '36 LB block that has cracks along the pan rail on one side on the inside of the crankcase, both front and back of the main bearing web. Web isn't cracked. Three cylinders have vertical cracks, a couple the wall is visibly pushed into the water jacket, so it would take sleeves in all eight holes. I know if this was a later block, it wouldn't be worth the effort, but from what I can gather, LB blocks are kind of hard to find. First, can it be repaired? Second, is it worth it. I don't need it and have no use for it, so if somebody want's to try to fix it, they can come get it in central Minnesota, otherwise in will be on the trailer on the next load to the scrap yard. Regards, Rod
 
This is not within my experience, but I'll venture my opinion that the conversion of a pre-LB block to accept inserts would be a more logical investment than to try to salvage a block that is known to have major cracks going in. Hopefully you'll get some expert advice, but again my opinion, the cracks you describe sounds like you have a candidate to practice repair technique, but nothing more.
 
ford38v8 said:
This is not within my experience, but I'll venture my opinion that the conversion of a pre-LB block to accept inserts would be a more logical investment than to try to salvage a block that is known to have major cracks going in. Hopefully you'll get some expert advice, but again my opinion, the cracks you describe sounds like you have a candidate to practice repair technique, but nothing more.
Click to expand...




That's what I figured, but I'm wanting guys with a lot more experience and knowledge than me to chime in. Thanks
 
Car guys have done some really stupid and expensive things in the last hundred and twenty years. CAN it be saved? Of course! Should it be saved? Hmmm. Pics might help, but realistically until the uncracked blocks are well and truly gone, this one might be best used as a mule or test dummy, as Alan suggested.

Being in Sweden could add a bit of a twist to the saga and add to the desirability of this lump.
 
Uhh, he said he's in "Central Minnesota" (which I can vouch for) and he's just trying to do the right thing.

Me? If I had the storage, I'd shove it under the bench and not scrap it.
 
tubman said:
Uhh, he said he's in "Central Minnesota" (which I can vouch for) and he's just trying to do the right thing.

Me? If I had the storage, I'd shove it under the bench and not scrap it.
Click to expand...
Hey, Denny, you can have it if you stop by and pick it up, or better yet, I'll bring it up to your shop! You back in MN yet, or still in Florida?
 
deuce_roadster said:
I don't know about there but around here sleeves are around $100 a hole installed.
Click to expand...
I know it would take a lot of money to repair--question is, does the fact it's an LB block justify it?????


I had to sleeve all eight holes of the block I have in my '36 coupe, and that didn't have any cracks in it, just four wrist pins that had gouged ruts in the cylinder walls, so I know what it costs to have a block machined, let alone repaired. Rod
 
If i had it here i would repair it on a rainy day just to make sure it survived to another generation...
But with normal cleaning and acid stripping then v-grinding all cracks before preheating and spray powder welding it´s real easy to poor in $2000+ in that block before its good to go.
On the other hand LB blocks don´t grow on trees...
 
"Murre", If you mean it, I can get it from Rod and save it until you make your next trip here. (Do you think it would fit in the trunk of a '51 Coupe? I think so!):)

Who says "The Buddy System" don't work?:D
 
tubman said:
"Murre", If you mean it, I can get it from Rod and save it until you make your next trip here. (Do you think it would fit in the trunk of a '51 Coupe? I think so!):)

Who says "The Buddy System" don't work?:D
Click to expand...

That would be kind of cool if it ended up in Sweden, where my great grandpa emigrated from in 1887!
 
What is so all-fired desirable about LB blocks. A good babbit job is going to last you as long as you live and is a lot less expensive. If you're all that obsessed about an LB block, get some letter punches and stamp them on the block. Gimme a break.
 
Lawson Cox said:
What is so all-fired desirable about LB blocks. A good babbit job is going to last you as long as you live and is a lot less expensive. If you're all that obsessed about an LB block, get some letter punches and stamp them on the block. Gimme a break.
Click to expand...

I disagree, A set of Main bearings is $160 A babbit job will cost MUCH more than that. Aside from that cost, I would use either with no hesitation...
 
and, besides the cost difference, the fact is not many of the old timers who could do babbit work correctly are still workin. if you were listening in on the model A & T forums you would hear of new engines with babbit failure more often than you would think. its another old "art form" that is going away
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top