I Heart my Yota

So i am working on rebuilding my 1994 22R-E and i pulled the engine stripped it down to a long block (bottom end still together as well as the head and rocker arm cover.
in removing the exhaust manifold i noticed a problem. it appears that there is a chunk of metal missing from my engine block.
This is located just to the rear of #3 cylinder and it is below where the head bolt goes in. you can see the bottom of the head bolt through the hole. there is a crack which seems to be spreading forward...
If all goes correctly there should be an image right here:


I also know the head gasket was done by an amateur mechanic about 2 years ago... could he have over tightened the bolt???

Basically my question is can i still use this block?

or do i need to replace it?

iliketoyota

if i were you i would get a new block because i looks like one of the head bolts wont be held in securely. i would just get a different block so you know that once you bolt the engine together you wont have to take it apart for a long long time and dont have to worry.

combatcarl

I probably wouldn't keep it. That head bolt may never torque down right, or it could finish off the failure. Looks like someone ran the bolt to the bottom, and over torqued it. You should be able to find a shortblock around for not too much, and put all your internals in it.

I Heart my Yota

Where is the best (and cheapest) place to get a short block?
i want a good engine but do not want to spend an arm and a leg.

combatcarl

I would hunt Craigslist, or local pick n pull type yards. For a bare shortblock, I'd say about 3-500 bucks. Or source a longblock, and mix and match their parts and yours. Selling off the unneeded parts could recoup some of your money spent, too.
Note: did you have a head gasket leak, or any evidence of one at teardown? It may still be ok...

I Heart my Yota

I just contacted engnbldr waiting on a reply
any other places i should look?

I Heart my Yota

With Craigslist my worry it that i am gonna get an engine that i am gonna need to rebuild in 100K or so... not wanting to do another rebuild on this rig anytime soon.

combatcarl

Yeah, but you're rebuilding now anyway, right? I know budgets suck, but peace of mind with a rebuilt motor is nice to have.

I Heart my Yota

My thoughts exactly, there is a pick-n-pull yard near me that will sell me a engine out of a wrecked yota for $350, no guarantee of anything, but i can sell all the parts but the block and try and regain some of my cash...