How to tell if a second hand 5.7 short block is crack free

[Restoration man]

Going to be buying a second hand 5.7 short block soon is there a way of telling if the block is ok , I will be having it re bored and balanced and re grind on the crank as a mater of course but don't want to do this on a bad block , is there anything I can look for myself and is thre any tests I could do at home prior to sending it out for maching work ? The place I'm getting the block from say that if it's not ok they will swap it but only if I've not had any maching done on it
Any advise welcome ?

 

[Bondo]

Re: How to tell if a second hand 5.7 short block is crack free

Ayuh,.... Only a close Visual inspection is possible,....

A Long block, could be pressure tested...

I'd let the Machinist do the inspectin' myself,...

 

[Restoration man]

Re: How to tell if a second hand 5.7 short block is crack free

Ayuh,.... Only a close Visual inspection is possible,....

A Long block, could be pressure tested...

I'd let the Machinist do the inspectin' myself,...

Would It be worth puting some heads on ?
If so how wold I go about pleasure testing it?

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: How to tell if a second hand 5.7 short block is crack free

Most engine shops around here will do magnafluxing to check for cracks.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: How to tell if a second hand 5.7 short block is crack free

magniflux and a sharp eye, but this only helps find the ones out in the open

 

[Restoration man]

Re: How to tell if a second hand 5.7 short block is crack free

The blocks come out of a car so there wont be any salt water related problems , I have purposely sourced a car block as I don't want a rusty block