In your opinion what caused this?

[traysvega]

388 sbc I bought .



http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j40/traysvega/IMG_1704.jpg

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j40/traysvega/IMG_1714.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j40/traysvega/IMG_1706.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j40/traysvega/IMG_1707.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j40/traysvega/IMG_1713.jpg
Thanks for you input in advance.

[TopspeedLowet]

It is hard to tell exactly what I am looking at by these photos, but if that is a thin coat of epoxy that was used to seal a cracked block and then painted to cover it up, that is what I would expect to happen. As for the condensate in the valve cover, it could be normal if the oil still looks clean. Most Racing engines run cool and show condensate in that area if you have started up without getting hot before shut down. These could be two different issues, but the block, if it is how it looks, give it a toss in a lake for the fish or dumpster if you are green.
Bruce

[johnracer]

The paint cracking on the side of the block makes me think it was full of water and froze......just a guess though
Johnny

[traysvega]

It is hard to tell exactly what I am looking at by these photos, but if that is a thin coat of epoxy that was used to seal a cracked block and then painted to cover it up, that is what I would expect to happen. As for the condensate in the valve cover, it could be normal if the oil still looks clean. Most Racing engines run cool and show condensate in that area if you have started up without getting hot before shut down. These could be two different issues, but the block, if it is how it looks, give it a toss in a lake for the fish or dumpster if you are green.
Bruce

Nope no epoxy at all.

[traysvega]

The paint cracking on the side of the block makes me think it was full of water and froze......just a guess though
Johnny

I believe the same.Just like to have more opinions for the seller(he's wanting to make it right)...Thanks

[mackrace]

could it be paint?duplicolor black with ceramic can get pretty thick if you put a bunch of coats on. 8)

[TheYellaBrick]

Looks like it might be an old heat issue. Either from within or from header/head gasket leak. Without actually feeling if it's 'bulged' it's hard to tell.
Does this thing still rotate smoothly ?

[traysvega]

Looks like it might be an old heat issue. Either from within or from header/head gasket leak. Without actually feeling if it's 'bulged' it's hard to tell.
Does this thing still rotate smoothly ?

Still runs.Oil has water in it(again).Lots more than just your "normal condensation"Turns my snap on head gasket yellow(combustion in the radiator),and my 20 plus years of exp. looks to me like it frooze,block expanded and paint poped and created 2 small cracks,one on each side.Reason the freeze out plugs didn't do their job was the block is concreted from bottom of water pump holes down.

[lively]

JUNK BLOCK--BOAT ANCHOR 8) 8)

[cepx111]

If the integrity of the block (internally) is ok, I got a nickle rod and a rose bud that will fix it.

[rob41willys]

I agree that the block was frozen and probably no good.