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Lesson Learned - Block Filler

17K views 29 replies 18 participants last post by  blueblood 
#1 ·
well, my buddy had a D1VE A2A whatever 2 bolt main block and took it 110 over which left about 110 on the Cylinder walls, he poured the block with filler and and after about 6 passes it had a split in the cylinder--so he machined that cylinder out and pressed asleeve in it and after 4 runs it spit the sleeve. The block filler stuff is junk, after the motor got hot the filler broke away from the cylnders and did nothing but add weight to the block. Is there anything out there anybody knows about besides block filler that actually works????? i think maybe a good heat resistant 2 part epoxy?

thanks in advance
 
#4 ·
i could have went to the little kids school for those replys.

you guys ever here of experimenting, running on the ragged edge, trying new things to make builds work better. i thought thats what hot rodding was all about. Hell, anybody can go out and buy a aftermarket block thats elementry, the question was block filler, do you know anykind of block filler that works well without breaking loose from the metal, the question was in referance to block filler--epoxy ect: If you don't have an answer or you have NO experiance with block filler (which is evident) keep your smartass answers to yourselves and use the scroll button. thats what thats for when you don't have a clue!
 
#5 ·
HEMI-HUNTER said:
i could have went to the little kids school for those replys.

you guys ever here of experimenting, running on the ragged edge, trying new things to make builds work better. i thought thats what hot rodding was all about. Hell, anybody can go out and buy a aftermarket block thats elementry, the question was block filler, do you know anykind of block filler that works well without breaking loose from the metal, the question was in referance to block filler--epoxy ect: If you don't have an answer or you have NO experiance with block filler (which is evident) keep your smartass answers to yourselves and use the scroll button. thats what thats for when you don't have a clue!
Good to see you have money to burn, not everyone has a bottomless wallet so they stick to whats tried and true and recommend the same.
 
#6 ·
HEMI-HUNTER said:
well, my buddy had a D1VE A2A whatever 2 bolt main block and took it 110 over which left about 110 on the Cylinder walls, he poured the block with filler and and after about 6 passes it had a split in the cylinder--so he machined that cylinder out and pressed asleeve in it and after 4 runs it spit the sleeve. The block filler stuff is junk, after the motor got hot the filler broke away from the cylnders and did nothing but add weight to the block. Is there anything out there anybody knows about besides block filler that actually works????? i think maybe a good heat resistant 2 part epoxy?

thanks in advance

First off all you NEVER bore the block and then pour it with filler!!!!!!!!
the filler will distort the cylinders if you do it that way. You pour the filler first and let it set for several days to set up, then bore the block as needed checking it constantly...


Thats kind of like building a house and after it is done then pour the foundation under it... :roll: and then saying the concrete was junk... :shock:


Randy
 
#7 ·
HEMI-HUNTER said:
i could have went to the little kids school for those replys.

you guys ever here of experimenting, running on the ragged edge, trying new things to make builds work better. i thought thats what hot rodding was all about. Hell, anybody can go out and buy a aftermarket block thats elementry, the question was block filler, do you know anykind of block filler that works well without breaking loose from the metal, the question was in referance to block filler--epoxy ect: If you don't have an answer or you have NO experiance with block filler (which is evident) keep your smartass answers to yourselves and use the scroll button. thats what thats for when you don't have a clue!
Well Hemi hunter . I ran block filler in 7 of the last 9 engines I built. I always used the Moroso Grout type block filler .. One block did split the cylinder and I had it sleeved .. I'm still using it as my 532 back up motor.

Now as for your running on the ragged edge statement.

After pissing away close to $100,000 on motors over the last 10 years I found going the little kids school to be less expensive. Get your self something that isn't going to blow up and you'll save money in the long run. If your planing on building something that's going to put out more then 650 Horse go aftermarket block and you don't have to worry about making a pile of junk because you twisted the block and it spun your bearings or crack a cylinder due to the linear stress put on the block when you launch the car.

And I did answer your first question the best I could .

"Is there anything out there anybody knows about besides block filler that actually works????? "


Have a good day .



Dan
 
#8 ·
HEMI-HUNTER said:
i could have went to the little kids school for those replys.

you guys ever here of experimenting, running on the ragged edge, trying new things to make builds work better. i thought thats what hot rodding was all about. Hell, anybody can go out and buy a aftermarket block thats elementry, the question was block filler, do you know anykind of block filler that works well without breaking loose from the metal, the question was in referance to block filler--epoxy ect: If you don't have an answer or you have NO experiance with block filler (which is evident) keep your smartass answers to yourselves and use the scroll button. thats what thats for when you don't have a clue!

i dont think they were being a smart -*** dude !!! they were just giving an opinion---

know besides all of that i have a block with a block filler in it and it seems like the material is coming apart ??? almost like a fiberglass material--- i would never use again to fill a block...

so back to Jon and Trunkpulers OPINION what is the cost diff on average between the 2 ???



 
#9 ·
Considering I have used block filler with great success in the past I would not consider my answer as being a smart ***. Now boring the cylinders paper thin and then blaming the filler for the stupid dumbass mistake I would say is pretty ironic.

Maybe you could coax procomp into making a cheap throw away block for people like yourself.

650 hp pretty ragged edge............
 
#10 ·
Hemi-Hunter

I have used "hard-Block" on several BBC builds and never had a problem on a .100 over 454 blocks and there not near as safe as a BBF IMO.

1. Pretty important to get an even fill, sound like to me you didn't get a good fill, you may have rushed the whole process and the machine work is last.

2. Agitate it very very good as you fill it.

( I welded a 3/8 bolt to an air-hammer chisel, screwed it into a tranny bolt hole and jam nutted it tight and put the air-chisel while I filled the block)

3. You need to let the block "rest" and set a couple weeks min before you take it in and have the machine work done. Many builders would like to see a month
 
#11 ·
I'd have to agree, I've used Hardblok brand filler, with no problem. Was the stuff you used namebrand? Did it get mixed with as little water as possible? Did air bubbles get worked out? Let it harden long enough before machining or putting into service?
 
#12 ·
Isn't it funny that we're always bragging about how superior the bbf block is compared to the other brands, yet at the same time we say 650hp is the safe threshhold? Then you do some looking in the engine buildups and see that several reputable builders are making 800+ hp with oem blocks and they're not saying " this is a good build, but we sure hope the block stays together". I think alot of it goes back to the old saying " some people can break a cannon ball in a sandbox with there bare hands". If I had the extra 2600$+ I too would use an aftermarket block.
 
#13 ·
my 650 ragged edge was a smart assed remark, oh course you can go higher and the difference in if it lives or dies is the prep and tune up etc.

I have used the Childes and Albert block filler, its hard to get but its just what we have had good success with.
 
#14 ·
i could have went to the little kids school for those replys.

you guys ever here of experimenting, running on the ragged edge, trying new things to make builds work better. i thought thats what hot rodding was all about. Hell, anybody can go out and buy a aftermarket block thats elementry, the question was block filler, do you know anykind of block filler that works well without breaking loose from the metal, the question was in referance to block filler--epoxy ect: If you don't have an answer or you have NO experiance with block filler (which is evident) keep your smartass answers to yourselves and use the scroll button. thats what thats for when you don't have a clue!
If you don't want an answer, don't ask the question. And damn sure don't get pissy when a bunch of people who've been there and done that tell you something you don't want to hear.

Brad
 
#15 ·
hookedonpullin said:
Isn't it funny that we're always bragging about how superior the bbf block is compared to the other brands, yet at the same time we say 650hp is the safe threshhold? Then you do some looking in the engine buildups and see that several reputable builders are making 800+ hp with oem blocks and they're not saying " this is a good build, but we sure hope the block stays together". I think alot of it goes back to the old saying " some people can break a cannon ball in a sandbox with there bare hands". If I had the extra 2600$+ I too would use an aftermarket block.
Coming on this site over a year ago with NO BBF experience and plenty off BBC Chevy I would have never believed that a OEM BBF would be safe with a 4.440-4.500 bore and 4,500 crank and the block be able to live more than hard season of racing.

From past experience I can tell you a BBC 454 block won't go bigger than 4.350 bore 4.300 stroke and live much more than a hard season of racing before your re-blocking. If your doing 520's inches in a OEM BBC your living life dangerously IMO.

I think if I were to do another BBF build and use an Oem block and wanted to maintain a wet block. I would consider staying with a 4.440 bore and a 4.500 crank and splayed caps. I would stay around 14-1 comp on gas and use an A-460 head w/2.300 valve and a dominator and that’s about the limit that I think push the OEM block if I expected a reasonable amount of reliability and maintain a safe feeling that I was in the green.
 
#16 ·
Blaster,

I guess this time next year I can give you the results on my build. It's the same engine you described but with ported TFS Streets, 861 hp.

I am of the same opinion as you. At the hp level your talking If you want more power , an aftermarket block is definitely in order. looking back, if I hadn't machined the block myself and used the Cat caps to save some $600- $800, I probably would have went ahead bought an aftermarket block.



Blake
 
#18 ·
Now this is funny. 2 years ago my Buddie Bruce and I where driving to a pull in Illinois and we where talking about motors. It was time for him to build a new motor and he didn't know which way to go. Re bore the block and get new pistons and crank or keep his current rotating assembly and just get a new block. We came to the conclusion that the most expensive part of a motor is the rotating system. If he was to bore bigger and get new pistons 850.00 and Billet crank 2500.00 he'd have to have the whole kit an kaboodle rebalanced 200.00. Where a New block cost $2295. at the time, add in Machine work and you could have a new motor for under 3000.00.

As it turns out he sold his motor and build a brand new from the ground up one instead.



Dan
 
#19 ·
I guess some people simply have better luck when filling production blocks; (for the past 25 years anyway).

I have used both 636 and 816 Embeco metalic grout as block fill with no problems for a loooong time.
 
#21 ·
Yea, the Embeco stuff is great. It doesn't shrink or pull away from the cylinder walls when cured if you mix it correctly. And as pointed out in other posts on the subject, block filler might help bearing life because it is thought to act like a large vibration dampener. I know my Cleveland stuff had better looking bearings after I started using the Embeco grout.

There's only so much that any filler is going to help on a partial fill if you have paper thin cylinder walls anyway. The unsupported top section of the cylinder wall is still a possible problem area if it's real thin.
 
#24 ·
Prep Block:
Clean engine block. Hot tank cleaning is preferred. With compressed air, blow dry block. Insure that water jackets are COMPLETELY DRY. On the front of the block tape up ½” of water jacket (Install timing cover to hold Hard Block in water jacket). Remove cover & tape after set-up time and clean up for assembly. Minimum temperature for installation is recommended at 50°. If temperature is below 65°, you will need to double ALL set-up times shown below. Install freeze plugs. Mount block on engine stand. Torque main cap bolts. Level deck with bubble level.

Installation
First place water in bucket (8 oz/ 1 cup); slowly pour contents of Hard Block into water. Mix thoroughly for 5 Minutes. Mix should be creamy and of such consistency to pour through a ½” funnel. If mix is too stiff, add additional water one ounce at a time and remix. Again, mix should be consistent with NO water on top, with even distribution of the heavier particles. If any settlement of heavier particles is noticeable, too much water has been added. Working time after mixing is 30-40 minutes. DO NOT add more water if mix begins to stiffen. It must be discarded. After Hard Block is thoroughly mixed, pour into the water jackets through several holes in the deck using a ½” Funnel. Work the Hard Block with a stiff wire to assist in consolidation around cylinder walls and to eliminate any air pockets. Gentle vibration of the block will level the surface. Strong Vibrations from air or impact tools are NOT recommended. Allow block to set undisturbed over night or for 24 hours if temperature is below 65°. After allowed set-up time, machine and/or hone cylinders. Block is ready for assembly.



 
#25 ·
Can you fill the block after machining? Reason for the question is I have had issues spinning bearings. Everything that is checked block, line bore, crank, clearances, rods, oil pump etc.....checks o.k. I seen a comment about twisting the block and spinning bearings......could this be the case???? Comments?????? 521 TFS heads 2660lb car 5.87 @ 117 MPH....1050 8896 gas........lost need help please
 
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