Oh my God - a hole in valley - please advise

[Print Dad 58]

Hello all,

Many of you may know I have had a vacuum problem.

I pulled the intake and cleaned everything well.

As I was cleaning I noticed a hole that I don't know if it should be there.

The hole is not nice and round like a factory hole.

There were no shards of metal around and the hole looks a little old.

 

I am enclosing a picture but it is not the best I know.

 

Right now I am in panic panic mode.

 

The hole's location:

If the lifters sit in the valley floor, this hole is in the front wall.

it is located in the wall that the skinny front intake gaskets sits on.

So the hole points to the distributor.

I hope someone can help. I am very nervous.

 

If the hole is not supposed to be there, can it be fixed? If so how would I do it. I just can't afford a new block.

 

What do I do....as you can tell I am panicking especially since I don't know where to find a picture.

 

There have been many that have tried to help me that know Clevelands.

 

Am I up the creak?- - Thanks- - A very worried Print Dad

[S code 69 13]

I can't see it very good but it looks like casting hole, just a thin spot that doesn't matter. Ford did the worst castings of any engine I've ever worked on, the core shift is so bad many 428 blocks were made into 390's due to thin walls, sloppy sloppy. in any event unless there's something cracked around it forget it, it's not uncommon or important.

[Print Dad 58]

Hello S code 69,

Thanks... I think it may be some sort of oil passage to the cam gear but was worried when it didn't look nice and round.

 

I was very worried, thought the worse. I am trying so hard to get the old girl back on the road before the winter comes.

 

Thanks Thanks Thanks .... Print dad

[69RestoRod 10]

Looks like it's supposed to be there

 

http://www.v8cleveland.com/forsale/images/u2a515/u2a515-2.jpg

 

IIRC the problem the 351C's had was cracking from the rear of the block forward in the lifter valley

[jonnybee 10]

I have rebuilt 2 clevelands over the past years and both had the exact same hole you are worried about. Looks like nothing to worry about. Just check that there are no thin bits that may break away and get into your oil.

[LoneWolf2U 136]

The hole is for the timing chain and fuel pump oiling.

excess oil from the valley area spills over to lube them from there.

[Print Dad 58]

Hello to all,

I just wanted to say thanks for replying and putting my mind to rest.

I think I could have made a better hole with an axe.

I hope others see this thread before they pull their intake.

Could save a lot lot lot of worries.

 

Thanks so much to all the responders who helped me sleep last night.

 

I hope I can help you people someday.

Now if someone needs a lesson on Photoshop I'm there.

 

 

Thanks again. Print Dad

[coz 108]

original oil passage - just a bit ragged. Here's my Cleveland for comparision...

 

http://www.1969stang.com/gallery/COZ-69Mach1/110_1080?full=1

[Print Dad 58]

Hello coz,

Thanks for the picture. Your motor looks real nice. The hole in my valley is ragged looking compared to yours and that is one of the reasons I freaked kinda.

 

I hope others see these pictures so they will not go nuts as well

 

Thanks for sharing..... Print Dad