Strange Welding On Engine Block

[chris williams]

Just been working on another engine that I pulled out of a running (perfectly well) Volvo 260 and as part of it I always clean and paint the block with glyptal paint. Anyhow I noticed whilst cleaning this one it has a couple of strange welds in two places on the block. This is not a normal place for them to go and having stripped it down there is no damage to the block so I was wondering why thy may be there? If done at the factory why?

[cis6409]

Hi Chris
To me it looks like it was either preventive or it was Der to stop anymore holes forming for block rot..
I've seen a couple of blocks over here that have had holes leading from those gulleys thru to the valley floor.
Extra protection in case of coolant leak etc
I would assume that's a po mod rather than factory

Cheers
Shane

[Josh]

the deep holes will rot out well before those large rectangular areas will. Very interesting find!