buying engine block

[r1inoz]

hey all

might be buying a 304 bare block and just wondering what to look for besides the obvious damage to bores,says it says bores are standard size.can anyone tell me what that would be

thanks guys

[Matty.b]

if i were going to buy a block, when i worked for Toyota, we had a spray you would apply on the metal that looked like red spray paint (cept it wiped off) and then sprayed this stuff over it that looked like instant snow and it would show up the most minute cracks in metal....assuming you can buy such a thing at automotive shops

[ari666]

i assume you are buying the block complete? not much you can check for really unless you can take pieces off. stock bore is 101.6mm but no way of checking without taking a head off.

bout the only thing you can do it a compression test. if the timing cover is off, have a look at the block wall roughly where the water pump shaft is mounted and check for any damage. in a front-ender the water pumps can kill 304's pretty easily by busting through that wall.

other than that, spark plug condition will tell you if one of the cylinders is naffed.

guess your just gonna have to take their word for it.

[r1inoz]

just a bare block and crank nothing else,will check around water pump shaft and bores and ty for measurements of bores