Warped engine block?

[Motorhead350]

I think I may have this problem, not on my Marauder, but on an old engine heavily modified that I'm going to sell in a month or so. What will you experience if this happens?

[chasrein01]

First to mind is blown head gaskets, oil in water / water in the oil, or water / oil in the cylinders. If you want to check if the block is warped and its without heads, you can probably just check it with a straight edge. Blocks can be salvaged by "decking" (which grinds off a portion of the block to true it up), but if your engine got hot enough to warp the block, then the heads will probably need to be milled too because they are more prone to warpage.

[Motorhead350]

Thanks. I blew this engine a few years ago and it was rebuilt, but it was always having problems. Needed 3 new head gaskets, leaking oil exc. I think it's warped.

[chasrein01]

If you're blowing the same head gasket over and over, it's probably the head itself. I had the same problem on a 289 several years back, had all the work done (at least it was supposed to be!), but the company actually missed the head that was warped on the pass. side. They milled the drivers side twice!! I ended up taking it off and to another shop to get it right.