Topic: When is a numbers matching W72 400 block considered scrap?

[1973Formula]

I am looking at a couple of cars.  One of them has a cracked block that may be repairable.  The other has been bored once, but I don't know how much.  Can you repair a crack on the intake side of the block?  Can you sleeve the cylinders on a 400?  Numbers match on both cars.

Thanks,

[brian c]

Yes you can sleeve cylinders in a block. My 455 has (2) now - if memory serves. As for a crack on the block...where is the crack exactly?? The 400 block I bought off a member here has (2) small cracks where the windage tray bolts go into the block. I've talked with a couple different engine builders - Spotts Performance for one - who said that's a very normal spot for these to go. His suggestion for fixing that is using some threaded rod and cinch it down with a nut (I'll go the extra step and use some loctite on the nut to make sure it doesn't move).

Pics would help at this stage...