Cracked block?
 

A few weeks back I bought a motor and trans assembly knowing that it was partially damaged from an accident to the front right of the car. I proceeded to tear it down expecting the worst and knowing that I could easily justify the price that I paid just on the ansulary bits on the outside of the motor. I chipped away at it and got it down to this:

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j8...D4DD6EFD38.jpg

In my journey of disassembly, I learned that Subaru LOVES to use sealant on every integral mating surface. This stuff is tough too... to the point that I bent the oil pan flange trying to pry it from it's dead motor. I also learned that at some point the intake rocker on the right side closest to the front of the motor came out of it's given position. The pin was still intact and there was no obvious wear. This all leads to the cracks... Let me know what you think because I'm not sure it's even worth getting magnaflux'd and now I'm thinking ill scrap the forged internal build for now and build some 1mm over heads.
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j8...88E2CCE20E.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j8...C7B4A6E52C.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j8...E6AFF835FD.jpg

Looks like defects from the casting process to me, not a crack. Wait for others to chime in though.

Yeah, that's why I took a wire wheel to it first but it didn't flake or polish off like I hoped it would. I appreciate your optimism :)

I don't think that's a crack in the block either. Looks like casting defect due to aluminum not feed properly during casting process. I see them on lots of ford v8 engine blocks at work.

Close. That looks like a imperfection in the sand mold the aluminum was cast into. Every piece of cast aluminum I have seen from heads to timing covers to blocks have these. Nothing to worry about

I like these responses! Has anyone used one of the 3 spray can dye testing kits? I understand that is how you test aluminum for cracks and was wondering if it is as easy as it appears to be.

Also, to be clear, the motor did sustain an impact in the accident.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j8...ED53D2AB24.jpg

Nice project engine ....... a new chain, chain cover and some paint and it will be good ...... :)


humfrz

I agree, I don't believe it's a crack. It looks to be casting flash.

Not a Crack its from the molding process like everyone else says, thats behind the front cover.
BTW those Cam timing gears are not cheap :(

I hope you got a really good deal on that engine The front cover is going to run you $700 and about $500 for the damage timing gear, + chains ect.....

Not sure if you know this but that's not a crack.

I wish it were just those pieces but right now I'm up to:

timing chain
timing chain plastic tensioner pieces
timing chain cover ($500+ retail yikes!)
camshaft actuator (lump on the end of the camshaft)
camshaft control valve
camshaft carrier
possibly new camshafts (yet to be inspected)

I haven't taken the heads off because I don't have any triple square sockets yet. The timing chain to the left head stayed intact so I anticipate that head is ok but we will see what turns up when I get the right head off.

The motor had 24k previous miles and I was planning on not splitting the cases when adding the forged internals... is that a bad idea? I think it's best practice to replace as many wear surfaces as possible while you are that deep into the project... but it is necessary enough to justify the added cost? What did you do... or would you do in my case?

I think I got a good deal on it seeing that I got the complete motor and transmission minus the alternator and a/c compressor for less than the cost of 4 good 10:1 pistons. I found a website that sells the cover for about $400 shipped but I just missed a NIB one that sold on ebay for $180 uhhh.

At this point, I think I'm going to clean the block and chip away at building the heads while I save up money & collect parts for the block build. By the time all of that happens, I hope I'm able to find some of the necessary parts used via ebay, craigslist, and here.

Well, I wouldn't split the case unless it's absolutely necessary.

I wouldn't replace anything that wasn't damaged in the wreck.

You may find this interesting:

http://www.revvolution.com/blog/2014...he-fa20-4u-gse

I remember, back in the day, (yep, here we go again ..... :popcorn:) ...... the transmission on my old 1948 Chevrolet was "going bad", so, I went to this old farmer, who had a whole field of junked cars, to get a "different" transmission.

I pulled out two transmissions and took them home. I then disassembled those two (and mine) and laid out all the parts on the barn floor. I then took the best parts from them and "rebuilt" a transmission.

I then reassembled the other two and took them back to the old man and told him that neither one of them was worth a crap.

He knew what I did, .... :D, but as long as I spent some time talking with him ..... it was OK.

Yep, another true story from ol humfrz ..... :slap:

I could use a spare engine. Mind if I come over and visit for a spell? :D