The email I got from Bill was very short.
"Hard to tell from the pictures but if the block were cracked we would not have used it, it was pressure tested and did not leak anywhere.
Thanks,
Bill"
I know the pics are not the best, but good enough to see im my opinion. My best guess it may have cracked after the build (stress from the sleeved cylinder & decking???). I too find it hard to believe it could have been built with the crack, so my imagination leads to believe it stress cracked later??? I do find it odd that he would build a high performance engine with a sleeved block though, but that may be the norm??? I never seen a sleeved block before-NOW I know what what looks like-sigh.
I sent Bill another email about what it would cost to refinish another block and transfer all of the hardware over, but its been a few days and have not heard from him yet. I hope to here back from him soon, and hoping any costs will be affordable.
The seller at first implied like its my problem and seemed he planned to walk away from the sale, as he did nothing to cause the crack, and claims he did not know that crack was there. I offered a alternative to have another block refinished and transfer reassembly (I figured about $1100 plus the block???). I based this off what his receipt from Andersons was for the labor. He is offering $500 to help make things right.
I don't think this is enough, but I will look into trying to obtain a block locally for cheap, wait to here from Bill about costs (hope he gets back to me), and maybe find someone local that has done a few of these-could probally handle it myself but the way my luck has been I am trying to reduce my chances of another screw up.
Any Magna members got a good 4.1L block for sale???
Nasty
