[pittbull7934]

It is more out of curiosity, but is this a design flaw? or did Gm do this on purpose and if so, why?

It seems to be the reason for pulling head bolt threads out of the block, (I just recently did so).

[ericnova72]

Just the way it was designed, not a flaw. Most domestic engines of the same era from other manufacturers were the same way. It is cheaper and easier on tooling to drill and tap a hole thru something than to do a blind hole(broken taps and drills).

[carsavvycook]

I had wondered this, but after thinking about this, I have never done any research on it.

I just figured they were trying to get the coolant closer to the source of the heat, from the combustion chamber.

[pittbull7934]

Originally Posted by carsavvycook

I had wondered this, but after thinking about this, I have never done any research on it.

I just figured they were trying to get the coolant closer to the source of the heat, from the combustion chamber.

Stephen,

That was my first thought, and don't get me wrong I think a motor lasting over 40 years demonstrates great ingenuity, but it seems as though the idea of engines getting rebuilt for such a long period of time did not cross the desingers mind (IMO).

Eric, I didn't think about how drilling and tapping blind holes is much more difficult.

On a side note, I took my block into a machine shop yesterday and got the motor fixed. He was going to put in a helicoil but according to him had a "brain fart" and began drilling the hole for a time cert. It seems to be just as good (to me) as a heli coil.

Still waiting on the moly lube to put the heads on, but in the mean time I have to finish getting the engine bay prepped for paint (I traded my old heads for a under the hood paint job).

I start school back up on weds. so I won't be able to get the motor back together until the end of the week.

Hopefully things go better, I did test the other side of the block and all the holes torqued down just fine.

Spent all day at the Pomona swap meet today and spent some money on future projects for when the drive line is done (hydro boost, and disc brake kit) I got some great deals, I wasn't planning on brakes right now, but the prices were just too good to pass up.

[carsavvycook]

Originally Posted by pittbull7934

Stephen,

That was my first thought, and don't get me wrong I think a motor lasting over 40 years demonstrates great ingenuity, but it seems as though the idea of engines getting rebuilt for such a long period of time did not cross the desingers mind (IMO).

Eric, I didn't think about how drilling and tapping blind holes is much more difficult.

On a side note, I took my block into a machine shop yesterday and got the motor fixed. He was going to put in a helicoil but according to him had a "brain fart" and began drilling the hole for a time cert. It seems to be just as good (to me) as a heli coil.

Still waiting on the moly lube to put the heads on, but in the mean time I have to finish getting the engine bay prepped for paint (I traded my old heads for a under the hood paint job).

I start school back up on weds. so I won't be able to get the motor back together until the end of the week.

Hopefully things go better, I did test the other side of the block and all the holes torqued down just fine.

Spent all day at the Pomona swap meet today and spent some money on future projects for when the drive line is done (hydro boost, and disc brake kit) I got some great deals, I wasn't planning on brakes right now, but the prices were just too good to pass up.

Money very well spent! You can make them run, but you have to be able to make them stop.