I just got my '79 351W block back from my friend's machine shop. I had him deck it down to 9.460" (.020" less than an early block). I didn't notice anything unusual when I picked it up; I saw it later when I got home and put it on the stand. He probably can explain, but figured I'd ask here first. Remember this is my first "Phord" build... ;-)
There are three or four spots (I'll go back and take a pic later if I have to) about .25" diameter on each bank around the inboard cylinders that look like they were plugged or welded. You can just barely see a round shadow and indication of slightly dissimilar metal in the freshly machined surface. There was no evidence of this when I pulled off the heads, I cleaned off the old gasket and sconge with a blade, but I didn't clean it spotlessly. I don't think this block has ever been decked before, it was nominal for a 9.503" smogger. Were there some extra coolant holes that were maybe filled in by Ford or someone else along the way? This was a totally stock (but once rebuilt by person(s) unknown) motor with the factory '79 "wheez-O-matic" D8OE heads. Nuthin' special...
I don't think it's gonna make a bit of difference, but I'm just curious.
There are three or four spots (I'll go back and take a pic later if I have to) about .25" diameter on each bank around the inboard cylinders that look like they were plugged or welded. You can just barely see a round shadow and indication of slightly dissimilar metal in the freshly machined surface. There was no evidence of this when I pulled off the heads, I cleaned off the old gasket and sconge with a blade, but I didn't clean it spotlessly. I don't think this block has ever been decked before, it was nominal for a 9.503" smogger. Were there some extra coolant holes that were maybe filled in by Ford or someone else along the way? This was a totally stock (but once rebuilt by person(s) unknown) motor with the factory '79 "wheez-O-matic" D8OE heads. Nuthin' special...
I don't think it's gonna make a bit of difference, but I'm just curious.
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