Unregistered users may browse the website, but in order to participate in the forums and view select pages (such as "Club Contacts" and "Classified Ads") a user account is required. Click HERE to email the webmaster and request a free account. The National DeSoto Club uses real names rather than pseudonyms. Notify the webmaster of your user name preference (Johnathon Doe vs. John Doe, etc.), preferred email address, and password request.
First, I want to say that I am 57 years old and have been into old cars for nearly 40 years. I have a lot of old parts, but they are mostly for Ford. I do not have much knowledge of these older hemi engines. Just stating this so you know where I am coming from.
I recently purchased a 1957 26A 345ci Adventurer engine that was disassembled but is mostly complete. It is missing 4 rods and pistons, the spark plug wire management cap for the valve covers, as well as the dual carbs. I do have the dual carb intake manifold, engine mounts, clutch, bellhousing, power steering pump, water pump, etc.
I had the block shot peened and I mag'd it myself. Two things I discovered: 1) the '2' in the S26-A-I3231 stamping was removed from the shot peening, and 2) the block has a crack.
I know that this is a very rare engine, but I have no idea of value. Here are some questions I have:
1. Can the crack be fixed? Is it worth fixing?
2. If the answers to question #1 is positive: I do have a picture of the stamping before shot peening to show it was there. Is this a problem? Can it be re-stamped? Who has the correct stamping tool to match the original?
Any advice is appreciated.
