Cylinder Crack Pics

[Scoobum]

Upon closer inspection today...there's a crack on each side of the cylinder. Discuss amongst yourselves.

[Scoobum]

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[motorhead]

What is with all the rust pitting?  Looks like a used sleeve or a shit job.

What material was the sleeve made out of?

[Scoobum]

What is with all the rust pitting?  Looks like a used sleeve or a shit job.

What material was the sleeve made out of?

The 2 sleeves are on the other side of the block. Rust is from water...doesn't take long. Go take a look at the rotors on your car in the morning.

[TexasT]

Might be time for a different block if you already sleeved and then this one cracked. Does the sleave on the other side introduce stress to the block that makes it crack? Different expansion rate, or not quite the right size hole for the sleeve?
Id be afraid to try with that block again.

[Scoobum]

Might be time for a different block if you already sleeved and then this one cracked. Does the sleave on the other side introduce stress to the block that makes it crack? Different expansion rate, or not quite the right size hole for the sleeve?
Id be afraid to try with that block again.

A good question...and a tough one to answer. I'm not even considering saving this block. I have a std/std freshened/balanced block on standy...and I already have the heads from this block bolted to it. The rotating assembly from this block is going in a block that I purchased from another member...and it's std bore...so I have to have it bored/honed to fit these pistons. I apprenticed as an automotive machinist in another lifetime...and I can't remember how much "crush" I set up for a sleeve. What I would do was checked the bores next to it for conformity. I always consider that these engines have been in service for almost 30 years...and they were never designed for the stresses we put on them...especia lly boring them closer to the water jackets for oversize pistons...and introducing absolutely silly cylinder pressures. Pretty durable engines...cons idering the abuse we throw at them.

[Steve Wood]

If installed correctly a sleeve on one side should not affect the durability of other cylinders on either side of the block.

I think the hammering that block got from its prior owner probably fatigued the iron thru out the block and you are correct in tossing it.  Probably surprising that it lasted as long as it has with you making some serious power.

thin wall castings just refuse to take bad treatment forever, I think

[motorhead]

Ah, it was a factory cylinder wall... that is a horse of a different colour.

I'd say that if you have a STD/STD block waiting, keep it STD.  The gains you get from the few extra cubes found through an over-bore isn't worth the loss to the strength of the block.  Toss a stroker crank in it if you really need the gain in displacement.

[Scoobum]

Update. The piston in the bad cylinder is cracked on the skirt. Will post a pic later tonite...or tomorrow morning.