Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines 292 Rusty Block

So Its been a long while since I got on the board. I have been helping restore a 1921 Seagrave Fire engine for the Livermore Heritage guild, which is a massive straight 6, and rebuilding my 74 Honda CB550 motorcycle (kind of an inliner).

This last weekend I picked up what is going to be the next mill in my 54 Belair. I got a running 292. Its going to get the full treatment, and a turbo. I am really excited to get this one started.

Anyway, today I was just looking over the motor, and saw a spot on the block that looked like JB Weld with rust coming out of it near the rear driver side of the block. I wire brushed the crap off, to see if there was a crack, or just leftovers from a sloppy engine compartment job that the previous owner might have left. The block looks solid, and clean, but now Im worried. I have nver heard of a block rusting to the outside before. What do you guys think? It seems that these blocks have a casting line along the bottom 1/3 of the block. Is that where the water jackets end?

Thanks,

cabbie,
yes that is where the water jacket ends. But also check this. On a 292 block, at the rear where you describe is a water fitting that is threaded into the block. I have seen people take the fitting out and put in a plug. Is this where the rusty leak is? tom

Unfortunatly, the fitting is still in place and the JB weld was about an inch towards the front on the "crease" part of the block. Think I should just weld it and continue with the project?

Thanks,
Dan