Re: Cracked Block
Being a Ford guy.
What is a "truck block?" As far as i know there are 2 bolt, 4 bolt, and bow-tie blocks from the factory.
It doesn't really matter if it's a "truck block" or not.
It does matter if it's a "truck" camshaft for reversion protection.
Marine camshafts are very similar to "truck"/RV camshafts in the amount of overlap and/or duration.....
If you're going to run dry-stacks, then it really doesn't matter.
If you're going to braze the block, good luck to you. Sometimes it actually works if you're doing it in a non-structural area............ Cast iron is very hard to braze and even harder to weld unless you can heat the entire casting to the right temp before you do it.....
The shops that do it, have ovens to heat castings to the right temp before welding brazing....
Then after they do it, they bring the temp down very slowly to prevent cracks from uneven cooling.....This is why it's usually not worth it to have a backyard welder or any welder who doesn't have the proper oven to heat the casting......It's also pretty hard to do an engine block since you have to completely disassemble it to heat it..... ..... (I'm also not saying your father is a backyard welder either)
It's just that since you have to take it all apart, AND replacement blocks don't cost all that much, it's usually easier and cheaper to just get another block.....
Cheers,
Rick