attempt to repair or not?

found a small crack in the block on the bottom side by the oil filter boss and one of the bolt holes for the bell housing...motor is for a nova im restoring for a guy...do i try to repair it or do i get a new motor? its an 010 casting 4 bolt block.

It can be fixed, but I would trust it just about as far as I could throw it. Why take a chance and when you get it finished you find out you have to do it all over again. JB

thats kind of my thoughts behind it. thanks for the insight

I've seen this type of damage before, usually from a longer bolt than needed in the bell housing. I never tried to repair the damage. Is it the original block for the car? The answer would help me decide if I try to repair or not. 010 4 bolt blocks are not that hard to find, 73-80 chevy trucks, haven't pulled one from a truck that wasn't a 4 bolt main block. Good luck, Ron

no its not the original motor, the car its going in is a 70 nova which is a basket case itself, this kid paid 8k for the car and honestly i wouldnt have paid $1500 for it. the body work is horrible, the paint isnt great, its 4 wheel drums. the worst part was he paid that drove it for a day, and then the car quit on him the next day.

Sorry you're so far away, I've got a few to choose from. Best of luck, Ron

appreciate it, unfortunately i think we only have 2 other members on the west coast and only one in my time zone. told the guy its not worth fixing and talked him into buying a new short block from L&R Engines, which is one of best places on the west coast for everything engine. my girlfriends dad has been going there for years so i was able to get a good deal for him thankfully, all is not lost.