cracks in the block

[justin2839]

My dad had a 55 cub loboy that the exhaust valves stuck because of rain getting in the exhaust when the cover over the exhaust pipe blew off and he didn't catch it. I pulled the head off to free up the valves and noticed that a number of the head bolt "bosses" were cracked to the water jacket. Being as the bolt holes are open to coolant anyway and we had not had any leaking or overheating problems we decided to put it back together as is. Its up and running again now and I haven't had any problems out of it but I was wondering if that is a common area to crack and if its something to be concerned about. Thanks

[Scrivet]

Welcome to the forum. Not sure what you mean by "bosses". The block on a Cub doesn't have anything I would consider a "boss" just a threaded hole in the block. Did you take any pictures of the cracks while you had it apart. To some people a crack is anything you can see with a 20 powered magnifying glass to others the Grand Canyon is just a crack. Regardless, if you have it back together and it's working I think you're fine. Keep the proverbial eye on it and use it.

[Eugene]

If you have it back together and it's working I think you're fine. Keep the proverbial eye on it and use it.

Concur.

Early Allis Chalmers engines typically cracked between the cylinders with the liner intact, not cracked. The head gasket covered the cracks, so no problem.