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-   -   Advice needed: 35-36 21 stud block (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=353846)

ckh 11-14-2025 12:20 PM

Advice needed: 35-36 21 stud block
 

After a sonic test showing uniform wall thickness, what is the maximum safe
overbore on a 35-36 block?
Thanks,
CKH

KiWinUS 11-14-2025 01:44 PM

Re: Advice needed: 35-36 21 stud block
 

I try to always have .100”. No matter what year block. Sonic checking is just a good guideline. It too can fail you.

Kurt in NJ 11-14-2025 06:01 PM

Re: Advice needed: 35-36 21 stud block
 

2 Attachment(s)
If it looks like the first picture in the water jacket it can have a hole at .060 like the block in the picture.—- the LB blocks have thin cylinder walls.
The second picture is a block bored to 3-3/8 and the thinnest spot is .220 ( a 59AB block with a long story and one of the cleanest water jacket I have seen)

petehoovie 11-14-2025 07:15 PM

Re: Advice needed: 35-36 21 stud block
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ (Post 2422954)
If it looks like the first picture in the water jacket it can have a hole at .060 like the block in the picture.—- the LB blocks have thin cylinder walls.
The second picture is a block bored to 3-3/8 and the thinnest spot is .220 ( a 59AB block with a long story and one of the cleanest water jacket I have seen)

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...3&d=1763160731

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...4&d=1763160794

ckh 11-14-2025 09:37 PM

Re: Advice needed: 35-36 21 stud block
 

Thanks for the replies. I bought this block (not an LB) some time ago. It had ben freshly

bored .060 over stock. I haven't had it sonic tested yet. Assuming there is no core shift, is

.060 over stock pushing the limit?

Bored&Stroked 11-18-2025 11:50 AM

Re: Advice needed: 35-36 21 stud block
 

You should be fine with a .060 overbore. With that said, always have the block magged and then pressure tested. I've seen a lot of "good blocks" end up with issues after thorough testing.

richard crow 11-19-2025 07:58 AM

Re: Advice needed: 35-36 21 stud block
 

back in the day 060 was the limet after that they would tend to run hot

Flathead Fever 11-19-2025 02:12 PM

Re: Advice needed: 35-36 21 stud block
 

.060 should be fine. I had a friend that bored one .100, that was pushing the limit. I'm not sure I would want one bored that mush unless you were just going to race it.

ckh 11-19-2025 03:10 PM

Re: Advice needed: 35-36 21 stud block
 

Thanks to all for your replies. You have now given me the info I need. I bought this block several years ago and had it magged, head surfaces, pan rails etc. No cracks
anywhere. The next step will be a sonic test which I should be able to have done
locally in Las Vegas where I live. If the sonic test shows no core shift, I should be able
to pressure test it myself as finding anyone in Las Vegas to pressure test any flathead
is a loseing proposition.
Thanks again for all your help.
The Ford Barn come thru again.
CKH


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