I just tore down the 3rd neon block from the junk yard only to find another crack in the webbing of the deck. It looks like it really is concentrated on the webbing and not on the cylinder. How worried should i be with this in my build up.

How can I fix this problem? I heard welding will distort the block?

I am worried about how it will react in high boost (21+ lbs) -whether it will push against the webbing and that will in turn push the webbing piece up against the head gasket causing a leak.

You will need to show the crack to a machine shop. if repairable the machine shop can weld the crack and machine the head gasket mating surface.

Terry

What do you guys recomend to be the best way of fixing these cracks... meaning the easiest with the best results -either spray welding or using pins?

My machinist said these deck webbing cracks were really common on wrecked and/or hydrolocked engines and really shouldn't be used for boosting. I'm not sure how much they'd charge for a good weld job, but if it's more than the cost of another $100 block, I'd say just junk it or save it for a stock rebuild motor.


• The webs on the deck that go between the top of the cylinders and the outer walls of the block tend to crack, especially up on the right front corner where the air conditioning compressor mounts. Be sure to check all of them and repair the ones that are cracked.