409 Cracked Block Worth

[BA-Man61]

Yesterday while picking up some other parts, I found a 65' 409 400hp shortblock (with caps, crank, rods, pistons, cam, etc). The only problem is a CRACK in the block,, ARGH!!! The block has been sitting in barn for years collecting all kinds of stuff. The crack appears to be from freezing and is located about 1/4" from the deck on the outside water jacket. It looks to be about 6" long. Other than the crack, the block looks to be un-molested and all original. In the same barn I found another 409 block that appears to be a std bore (hard to tell cause of body shop dirt and rust accumulation), but no signs of any cracks. Bottom line is $450.00 for both.

Does anyone have experience or luck with repairing such a freeze crack? Does the price seem to be in the ball park???

Thanks!

[CDNpontiac409guy]

Man61...
If that is all that's wrong, I think it's worth the money. That crack is very common. A good shop with someone skilled with cast iron, can weld it without a problem.:deal :cheers

[J & J]

BUY THEM........ there was some talk on this forum about these engines cracking in that very spot, and that they are repairable. Just find a good machine shop that isn't afraid to fix it.

[BA-Man61]

Thanks! I was hoping for a response like that. I probably be picking it up tommorow.

[dq409]

JUNK,,,,,, Both are just old broken JUNK !!!!!

I`ll give ya $10 per ton over what the scrap yard will give you !
And I think that is about $85 a ton here local,,,,,,dq

[BA-Man61]

HMMM,, lets see

300 lbs,,,,,2000lbs per ton thats about 15 % of a ton, times $95.00,,,,what about $14.25 in scrap.

OK but you pay the shipping!!

[dq409]

So,,,,, I`m at the machine shop today and he asks me which block I want to use as the build up,,,,,( I have two there)
I say,,,,, the cracked one !!
Are you sure ?
YEP !!! No problem ,,,,,,, it`s fixed right and you can`t see it anyways,,,,,,,,dq

[59elcooldsuv]

If nothing else, I would think that the crank, rods etc would be worth their weight in gold.