Machinists and Experienced LT1 Builders does this look like casting flash to you? See drain above oil pump drive gear hole.



Do you typically see flash in this area??

I was slapping the intake manifold on after priming the oil pump on my new 383.

I took a pencil magnet to it and very little came off but I did get two pieces .05" or so! Most of what you see was securely attached to the block so I assume it has to be casting flash?

This is SCARY!

 

Anyone?

Also, when priming our pumps drill in forward or reverse?

KA

 

drill forward when priming, and thats not casting flash, flash is generally only around parting lines

 

I think you're right about the casting flash. This stuff does not come off the block easily.

Not sure what to think about this stuff but it can't be good.

You can see in the first photo where the machinist appears to have ground down the ridge/lip of the oil galley. Not sure if this is left overs from the grinding? Why would it be so securely attached to the block.

What you can't see in the photo is several other (smaller) long thin pieces that continue straight down to the bottom of the block. This linear formation is what made me first guess at the cast flash??

Certainly would hate to rip this thing apart again. Thing is this stuff will not likely come off without a media blast of some kind.

Any Input or experiences would be greatly appreciated here. This is the first time I've built a complete motor so not exactly a sage in this dept..



Thank you, KJA

 

I am not sure what it is that you are looking at in the picture... It is a little hard to tell not seeing it first hand. I don't know if it needs to or even should be cleaned up but if it does I would imagine a cold chisel or even a small file would clean it up instead of media blasting.

 

Not sure I agree. Flash is usually found around parting lines, but it can occur anywhere there is an imperfection or "cracks" in the casting core.
Looks to me like flash!

 

Flash is by definition a product of parting lines, but you are correct in principle - positive metal can occur anywhere there is an imperfection in the mold or core.

 

I'm thinking this has got to be flash becuase this stuff is well adhered to the block. It's not easy to get to for clean up, and would likely fall down into some crevice or portion of the crank that I wouldnt be able to clean w/o a complete tear down. So, I'm thinking of just leaving it alone as oil flow alone should never cause any of this to come loose. What do you guys think?

Doesn't it look as though the machinist has "deburred/ground" the lip on the lifter valley drain hole? It seems as though he would have seen this in the process. Maybe he did and just didn't worry about it. But if he was grinding and saw it you'd think he'd grind it off at the same time and send through the tank afterwards?

I obviously have yet to bring it up with the machinist. I'll leave his name out of this but he has the experience and the knowlegde to do some great work but doesn't act professionally in the slightest. So I won't likely approach him with this unless I truly can convince myself it would benefit either of us.

Thanks for the input. BTW I read somewhere that priming was to be done with drill in reverse and nearly she it myself until I realized that running it in reverse wouldn't have produced the results I'd seen with oil shooting up to the heads and lifters. WOOOOOO. I HATE REWORK!!!!! Thanks again.

 

Ford smallblocks prime with the drill in reverse.

As far as the metal goes, I'd just leave it be.

 

Easy way to find out, if it's cast it's magnetic! Got a magnet?

 

Ok, let me clear this up. that is not flash. Flash is the metal that comes from the parting lines not sealing perfectly in the disa. what you have is made from an imperfection in the core sand. when you make a block, you make a sand/clay pressurized version of the interior hollow part for the molten metal to flow around, these are basically very intricate sandcastles set into the mold sand. just leave it as its just from where there was a little bit of sandflaked off of the original sandcastle

 

In reference to the magnet, thats how I got the **** out in the first place.

Cjmatt probably has the best explanation here and I always like it when the best answer is don't do a damn thing. I'll be sure to post when she's complete and let you guys know what is pulls.

I'll be happy if it runs. I know if it runs it's gonna run like hell!

Thanks again,

 

One engine I worked on had a bunch of sand in that area.