I've heard vague references to a 'cement' that can (sometimes) repair cracks in blocks, etc. Can anyone please put me on to it? What's it's name? Who sells it?, Where it can/can not help?
Well, Years back I worked at a shop that had an old Ford van with an 300 cid straight six they used for a parts hauler. It froze up one winter and had an exernal crack 5 inches long coming off a freeze plug. The manager JB welded the crap out of it and it ran for at least as long as I stayed there, which was about two years. Would I recomend doing it??? No. :laugh: But it worked in a pinch.
Somtimes, if the crack is in the area of a water passage, people will pour that reinforcing cement into the passage to plug the hole. It's kind of a "bubba" thing to do, but i suppose it kind of works.
old story I heard an old body shop guy here locally mention fixing the block in a Mustang back in his day by brazing brass into a cracked block. The crack would have been somewhere around a motor mount after the car got whammied. I was sceptical about brass and cast iron but the person in question has an awfully good rep. for deadly truth. regards
Fixing Cracks Depending on where it is, it is sometimes possible to repair a crack in cast iron by a series of drilled and tapped holes into which threaded rod is installed. Start by drilling a hole at each end of the crack (this keeps it from cracking more). Then tap one hole and thread in an appropriate bolt or piece of threaded rod with some thread locker. Cut the bolt off flush and drill another hole overlapping the crack and the first threaded plug. Tap and install another bolt or rod, cut off, and keep doing this procedure until the entire crack is replaced with threaded plugs. I have a 30 some year old issue of Hot Rod that details this procedure on the deck of a cylinder head.
I've witnessed a few block repairs at the shop. there are a couple of methodes, depending on wear the crack is. IF it is external, like a freeze crack, Moroso makes a cement that will seal the coolant. ITs best to "V" the crack with a die grinder first. then there is the pin method. which is best for a deck crack, or an internal crack, Already mentioned by John Eberly. it is very costly, and should only be done by a professinal. some company makes a kit for it. some cracks can't be fixed though. A cylinder can always be sleeved, along with a lifter bore. Where is your crack.... :moonu: :moonu:
My uncle races supergas and they use hard block to fix minor cracks. i myself would get a different block. Thanks Dustin
It can be welded It can be welded with a high nickel welding rod. The rod will be black in color if it is the right rod and will do the job right and you will not have to worry about any problems down the road. A friend of mine is a class A welder and i have seen him weld engine blocks before with great success.:beer
Thanks for that advice, Billy! I'll put the block aside and get it repaired while I fit and run another 455 bottom end.
