Timing chain hole in the block

[SwissMonaco]

Yesterday I dismantled the ignition distributor on my 440 and saw this hole in the direction of the camshaft gear. It almost looks like the casting has broken away. Is this normal and simply a bad machining job or should it be closed? See photos.

 

[thethee]

I believe it's normal, my 440 has the same hole. I think it's just a poor finish on the block casting. Seen here from the other side:

 

[Big_John]

Yes, the hole should be there. I believe it supplies oil to the chain.

Yours just has more casting flash than you normally see. That area, and the lifter galley drain slots usually need to be cleaned up with a die grinder during a good rebuild. If the engine was apart, I'd grind that out, but with it together, I'd leave it alone.

Casting flash is cast iron that has leaked along the parting line of the mold. Pretty typical, but usually knocked off after casting and before assembly at the factory.