gatorman21218
Registered User
I would run it... I agree there is no coolant in that area. Even if it leaks you can run it while you save up for another block. You have alot of time invested now. Get the truck back on the road and see what happens. Junking the block without knowing if it leaks would be poor advice. There are several types of metal repair epoxy products out there that could be used to slow down or stop the possible leak before install of the engine. This would buy you some time to make another block ready for rebuild if you needed one.
I have a 14.5 briggs that threw a rod. Made a nice dent in the block as well as cracked it. I used JB weld to fix that. But that was a "free" lawn mower...