I don't know how you can tell that a cracked block got that way by freezing or by overheating. I know that the block in my '65 Imperial was cracked when I got it. It never leaked, but it was a BIG crack. It had come from over heating and there was other evidence as well, such as broken rings, bearing damage, and , oh yes, the proverbial characteristic remains of a mammoth trailer hitch. I replaced mine. I don't think that I would ever repair or pay to have repaired a cracked cylinder block unless a replacement was absolutely unobtainable. I know that they can be fixed and if done right, very well, in fact. The trouble is, not only would it not be as good as a block that was never cracked in the first place, but I would always know that it was cracked. If I had to sell the car, I would never feel right about it unless I told everyone. Guess what, then they probably wouldn't buy it. I highly recommend that you replace your block, Hugh. It will be a better engine job in the long run. Paul In a message dated 4/12/2004 10:38:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time, hugtrees@xxxxxxxx writes: > > > Hi folks, > > I got to se my 58's 392 Hemi in pieces today. Fascinating stuff. I'm > pinched for time this second but can say I was right, it needed a ring job. > The cylinder walls look fine but there is some scarring on one or two of the > pistons and also on the bearings that attach to the crank shaft. They gave > me a list of desirable actions to take from this point but . . . > > There is a huge crack in the block !!!! It's old, very old and does not > seem to have reached the cylinders. They want to take the block to a shop > and find out the best thing to do with it. It probably reaches the water > jacket but I know for a fact it doesn't leak. > > I thought the car had been seriously worked on before. This kind of damage > comes from freezing, not over heating so it is not related to the cracked > head of a few years ago. > > I took some pictures of the engine and of the car, which looks very high up > in the front end, for some reason! Getting heat from the "boss." Gotta go. > > Hugh > > > >