| Re: Split Block ????
Keith,
The later model small blocks have gotten incredibly thin and light in the webbing areas. Usually they work fine, but every once-in-a-while the moon and stars align and pow they pop in half. Obviously, it usually happens with high performance engines, but most times it isn't necessarily an outrageous engine. I am sure there were flaws in the crystaline structure of the cast iron that allowed the crack to start and then propigate, but, to my knowledge, it isn't something you can predict or check for beyond looking for existing cracks. Don't know if Ford or anyone has studied this type of failure, but on a couple of occasions there had been a recent event that may or may not have been a contributing factor. With the one I recall, the guy had noticed an erratic oil pressure a week or so earlier. He changed his oil filter and cut it open with nothing found. Fresh oil was put in and everything seemed fine up to the moment it let go. Suprisingly, I believe the engine pictured here actually continued to run for a short time being held together, so to speak, by peripheral parts.
But, the motor I am building now started with an R302 block. :-) Better safe than sorry.
Regards,
Lynn |