Bought this car knowing it was going to need some TLC. Starting going at it and found crack in block were bracket for top left motor mount bolts to block. Looking for opinion on if I should continue repairs. Not looking for performance just daily driver for now.

This was taken from underside. You can see tension pully under bracket that holds top motor mount.

 

depends on how deep that bolt is in the block. Might want to get a quote on how much to fix that vs getting a used block. Plus downtime to swap out,

 

Looks like a new block to me. Yeah, it may hold for a while, but given the width between the two bolts, there will be a lot of stress applied to both sides of the mount which in turn will cause, initially minor, but ever increasing distortions to the point where a complete failure of the bolt seat will happen.

 

It always looks like a new block when its covered properly from dirt and debri, not to mention cleaned up from oil leaks.

 

You'd need to strip it down to a bare block and take it to a weld shop but it's fixable. They'd have to rebuild the bolt hole, machine the face, then redrill and tap the hole.

To be honest, it's probably cheaper to find another block.

 

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^. It is likely cheaper to find a replacement engine.

 

Sorry, what I meant is, it looks like the OP is going to need a new block, not that the block itself looked new.

 

Hmmm, I would argue all of that machining work would cost more than a replacement motor from a bone yard. The fact is, these engines are extremely plentiful and the cost is pretty cheap for a used motor.

 

I think thats where JR was going, he was just agreeing of the process to fix that error on the block.

 

Ok, to clarify... fixing the OP's block properly would require a complete tear-down, a thorough cleaning of the block, an extensive weld up of the damaged area, machining the mounting bracket contact surface flat again, indexing the appropriate location for the new hole, drilling and tapping the hole for a 12mm x 1.25 bolt as original, re-assembling the engine (which will include purchasing a head gasket and any rubber consumable components such as an oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket, etc.), and ultimately, re-installing the engine bracket and timing belt covers. Then you can put the engine back into the engine bay. This process is labor intensive and will cost money unless the OP works in a machine shop and can weld aluminum. "D" series engines can be found in many salvage yards at affordable prices.

The one advantage that the OP will have by repairing the current engine is you already know what you have... buying a used engine will be a risk.

 

Thanks for all the input. I will start the hunt for a new block. The seller got me on this one.

 

I am in the exact same position, except both my upper mount bracket point and lower mount point are broken like this. i came across this hoping to find an easy fix, but i guess i will be looking for a new block as well.

seller got me too

 

It happens gang... "buyer beware" should always be a concern in the used market. If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Good luck to both of you.

 

GEAUX TIGERS

 

Shouldn't you be saying "Hook 'em Horns" !?!?

... or was that a gentle prod at my Avatar... hmmm.