Ok I bought this block through Viren that was built by Stoid Racing in Dallas, TX. Everything looked good when I first got it, I had the clearances checked and they were fine. It is a GSR block (which was sent to Viren stock), then he had Stoid do all the work. It is Darton MID sleeved, 84mm bore, endyn 9:1 pistons, manley rods.

I finally got around to installing it and when filling it up with coolant it leaked. I took off the intake manifold to find a VERY small pinhole in the back of the block, on top of what seemed to be a weld. When the block was shipped out there was no such thing. Then I inspected the other 3 cylinders and they all had the same markings. I thought to myself no big deal I'll just have it welded and it'll be done with. I had it welded but now the leak came back. As you can see in the pictures the shop that welded it put Aluminum Epoxy over the weld, which came off a little.

The only possible reason I can think of for this is that when the block was sleeved they cracked it, then welded it to cover it up? The welds are about 1/4 inch down from the top, right about where the bottom of the deck would sit.

Here are the pictures...







Any input is appreciated.

 

That dosent look welded. It looks cast. they might have tried to hide it by sandblasting the weld but I seriously dont think its welded at all.

 

here i took more pictures... also after further inspection i found another spot next to where the timing belt tensioner bolts on. This spot is DEFINETLY a weld. I also had a coolant leak on that side that I assumed to be the water pump... well it was another hole... I can also see where the coolant was coming out and running down the block.


def a leaky weld?

this is the weld i paid $50 for at "the best" welding shop around

possibly another weld?

 

I say you give your buddy viren a call, somethins def up with that, you don't send your block out to get sleeved and coolant just leaks from some random ******* holes in the block.

 

viren didn't build the block. he just gave the block and the internals that were bought from him to stoid racing.

I talked to Brian from Stoid Racing and he told me to ship it back to them so they can take a look. Hopefully they will just refund my money instead of trying to fix it again...

 

bummer

 

make sure you use paint maker and mark all questionable areas. document them. take more pics of them. ect ect. when you send it back

 

This is why you should only have your block sleeved with a machine shop that is EXPERIENCED with installing high performance sleeves. The sleeves were either installed with too much crush or too much material was removed in the install creating a high stress condition or weak spots in the block. The block gets even with you by cracking where ever the stress is or strength isn't. Apparently this block had a nervous break down with all the stress
I would not blame Viren for this. It was really the machine shop taking on a job that it was not qualified to do.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by earl &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">This is why you should only have your block sleeved with a machine shop that is EXPERIENCED with installing high performance sleeves. The sleeves were either installed with too much crush or too much material was removed in the install creating a high stress condition or weak spots in the block. The block gets even with you by cracking where ever the stress is or strength isn't. Apparently this block had a nervous break down with all the stress
I would not blame Viren for this. It was really the machine shop taking on a job that it was not qualified to do.</TD></TR></TABLE>

thats what i suspected, thanks earl

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by earl &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">This is why you should only have your block sleeved with a machine shop that is EXPERIENCED with installing high performance sleeves. The sleeves were either installed with too much crush or too much material was removed in the install creating a high stress condition or weak spots in the block. The block gets even with you by cracking where ever the stress is or strength isn't. Apparently this block had a nervous break down with all the stress
I would not blame Viren for this. It was really the machine shop taking on a job that it was not qualified to do.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I learn something new from you everyday earl

I hope you get everything squared away man. Good luck and let us know the outcome.

Phil

 

Earl is very correct. The way our sleeves are designed leaves no room for error when it comes to machining. You must follow our block machining specifications exactly or you will break through on certain parts of the block. If the block is machined properly you will never have a problem. We make the sleeves diameters to perfectly fit into the Honda blocks, but if you deviate from our specifications you will have problems.

By looking at the pictures where they did break through it would appear that the diamters where cut too deep.

 

Stoid has installed a lot of MID kits without problems. So its hard to say how it happened. Send him the block so he can look at it for himself. Make sure you talk to Brian there.

 

thanks john. I spoke with Brian of Stoid and I am shipping it back to him, hopefully I will just get my money back for this hassle.

The total amount paid for the sleeves, machine work, install and bearings was $1,627. Also Stoid ruined my 2000 GSR block which I will be wanting to be reimbursed for...

 

Get your money back. I always ask myself would I buy another persons supposed built block. The answer hell no, that block looks like 100% rat *** get your money back and learn a lesson from this my friend.

 

shipped fedex on friday in a nice sturdy wooden crate... 146 pounds - 72$

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dunkd &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">shipped fedex on friday in a nice sturdy wooden crate... 146 pounds - 72$</TD></TR></TABLE>
Goodluck