Anyone have one I can borrow/rent? Have a head gasket job coming up and want to make sure I don't have block issues before I invest the time in the head gasket job. I am willing to provide a deposit as well.

Please contact me via pm or email if you are willing to help out a brutha...

 

Check Autozone or O'Rielly's. Really, any chain auto parts store has loaner tools.
Or you could go to Harbor Freight or equivalent and buy one for about fifteen dollars.
Then it's yours for life.

 

He wants to test the block, not the cooling system.

 

I bought the kit and it came with a welded shut water pump. First time I tried to use it the water pump would not seal. It had warped terribly due to welding and would not sit flush on the block. I called the maker/supplier and they basically told me tough luck, use extra gaskets(which was impossible due to the amount of warping), so I had a machine shop plane it.

I’m trying to locate it now as I need to pressure test a block.

One thing that does not give me confidence is that it is impossible to simulate a block at running temp to test it. Normally small cracks only present themselves when the engine is at running temp.

 

Not impossible, There was a guy on here quite a while ago who used a BBQ pit... Rolled his motor stand over the fire and monitored the temp closely as he slowly/evenly heated it up to temp.

 

Still impossible to know if you have heated it the same as it would be under operating temp.

External heat vs internal.