Reply To: Filling Rust Pits on Blocks

[Gregory Long]

That rough surface might look a lot better, and good enough to paint, if you just aggressively sand the rough, pitted areas. Sometimes just taking the high-points down instead of filling the low spots will look pretty good, and not leave you with trying to have the areas look like ‘bonds’ was applied on them. And the possibility of the filler coming loose after a few years..

Something else to think about,, Take a look at a photo of a ’29 engine compartment.. There really are not any large areas of the engine block that exposed or visible.. Most of the right side of the engine is hidden behind the intake and exhaust manifolds, and carburetor. Only the fairly narrow ledge at the bottom of the block where the oil pan is mounted is really visible..

The other side, is roughly equally hidden behind thee starter, the generator/water pump, and oil filler neck . Even the linkage coming up from the end of the steering column tends to mask any large open areas of the block..

The separate front and rear motor mounts that bolt to the block have some exposed and noticeable areas that might look pretty ugly if they are in really rough condition..

In general, the cylinder head has the largest exposed and visible surface area.. And they do not look ‘right’ when they are ground and filled and look like that are cast out of plastic.. Which you did say yo were planning on avoiding..

Just my thoughts,

Greg Long..