Testing blocks in the home shop

[marko39]

Originally Posted by FritzJr

You can do a simple Pass/Fail test just using the heads. Just install some heads so that are known to be good and block off all the water openings. Fill the block with water and pressurize. If the assembly will hold pressure, you are good to go. If it does not, it may be difficult to determine the source of the leak.

i tested my 51 block with the heads and water pumps and found air leakage around the gaskets at 20 psi. i replaced the pump gaskets with thick rubber and copper coated the head gaskets and got it to hold pressure for 2 hours which i considered a success. i was spraying soapy water everywhere and the only bubbles were around the gaskets. air will leak easier than water.