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View Full Version : 3919842 Heads, March 69 Matched Pair, Fixable or not?

scuncio
07-08-2019, 05:09 AM
Hard to find date codes so I'm wondering if a guy could fix these. I assume the answer is 'yes' but who would "that guy" be?

Link to 1969 L89 Heads auction (https://ebay.to/2XSGdbM)

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/VvUAAOSwuxhbiccV/s-l1600.jpg

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/DIMAAOSwWo5bicVn/s-l1600.jpg

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/r04AAOSwWeJbicb9/s-l1600.jpg

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/~sQAAOSwVMlbicWD/s-l1600.jpg
the427king
07-08-2019, 04:11 PM
Id be more concerned about having real thin porous intake ports as much as id be concerned about the large welding bill....
scuncio
07-08-2019, 04:44 PM
Yeah, the intake porting is unfortunate.
big gear head
07-08-2019, 09:10 PM
I wonder how it got broke like that. Did they leave a head bolt in it and try to pry it off? I fixed a 427 Corvette intake manifold many years ago that got broke like that. The guy didn't realize that he left a bolt in it and started prying on it.
RSSSfan
07-09-2019, 01:44 PM
A good experienced aluminum welder could fix the cracks, but you are going to lose the factory casting look in those areas, unless you are creative and good at restoring that look. I know there are ways to do it. It just comes down to how much time and money you want to throw at it. For a high end L89 or L88 car that needs those date codes, might be worth it. I sure wouldn't melt it down because of that, but finding THAT buyer might be tough.
RSSSfan
07-09-2019, 01:46 PM
I wonder how it got broke like that. Did they leave a head bolt in it and try to pry it off? I fixed a 427 Corvette intake manifold many years ago that got broke like that. The guy didn't realize that he left a bolt in it and started prying on it.

Freddie, I saw a guy do that on a cast iron small block Chevy head one time. He didn't realize there was another row of bolts along the outside. Took a big ass pry bar and had at it - he was a pretty big boy too. Just not real smart. ;)
JKZ27
07-09-2019, 02:43 PM
I wonder how it got broke like that. Did they leave a head bolt in it and try to pry it off? I fixed a 427 Corvette intake manifold many years ago that got broke like that. The guy didn't realize that he left a bolt in it and started prying on it.



I'd guess catastrophic engine failure at high RPM and the block they were on is in multiple pieces. I feel like it'd take some shock to create a crack like that.
Hotrodpaul
07-09-2019, 05:32 PM
The headbolt could have been overtorqued causing the head to crack after the engine was installed and running. You can even see coolant residue draining from the crack. Owner probably noticed a puddle of anti-freeze under the car and found the head was cracked, then removed them.

Paul
earntaz
07-09-2019, 06:38 PM
Looks like the pistons beat the heck out of the two middle chambers ...
Igosplut
07-09-2019, 07:56 PM
Or they were on something that was raced, and there was just water for coolant and it froze.
SuperNovaSS
07-10-2019, 06:08 AM
That crack looks to go through the spark plug area and over the valve cover rail. Likely an impact situation. I have heads like that before and chicken out on trying to repair them.


Jason