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Classic/Antique Car Repair/crack
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Question
I just rebuilt a 350 chevy small block. When I screwed in the three oil plugs behind the flex plate I overtighted one of them putting a hairline crack in the block. I used a drill to spin the oil pump and oil slowly leaks through the crack. Is there any way to fix this without tearing the engine apart and having it welded?
I have, on my own engines not customers, used a two part epoxy fix. Do not remove the plug. At the very end of the crack drill and tap for a 1/8th inch short Allen set screw. The drilled hole will stop the crack from creeping. Then take a Dremil tool and etch a shallow V along the crack. Remove the Allen set screw and coat it with epoxy and replace it. Then using a two part epoxy like J B Weld fill the groove slightly higher than the surrounding area forming a cap over the crack, the set screw, and the plug. Make sure that you allow the epoxy to harden before testing the fix. The other caution is to make sure the areas to be worked on are hospital operating room clean and dry.
Brad
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Answers by Expert:
Brad Sears
Expertise
All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.
Experience
Automotive tech instructor.
Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's.
Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's
TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated.
Auto instructor for the following companies:
Fram
Autolyte
Holly
Carter
AMF
Ford Motor
University Of Conn
Blue Hills Technical School
Sugar River Technical Center
Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.
Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.
Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember.
Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.
Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.
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