Cracked Block

[Anonymous-0]

I acquired a Case DC3 back in January in need of a complete restoration, but due to health problems I haven't been unable to do anything with it until now. Upon pressure washing the engine the other day, I noticed what appeared to be a crack about 8 " long opposite the carburator. I filled the engine up with antifreeze to see if anything seeped out, and yep it did, slightly it one place. I used to weld profossionaly, so I will try to repair the block rather than replace it. What I'm going to try to do is grinding out the crack, welding it with nickle rod, grinding down the weld so everything will look nice and then use flux bronze rod to fill any voids. What do you'll think? This the first time I've tried to repair a water jacket crack.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Where they usually crack is at the bottom of the water jacket,and there are several different thicknesses in this area, welding tend to just spread the crack. Braze in a ground groove might be better. We still run an SC with a 50 yr old Permatex and rag plug stuffed in that crack and NO block sealer. Not a pressurized system so almost any thing will seal a small crack.

 

[Roger (Mi)]

Your way is the best way to fix the crack. However, warm the block with a torch, weld one inch at a time, peen the weld after each inch of welding. That relieves stress. After cooling, coat the area with JB weld and grind it smooth. There will be no leaks, and it will look good too.

 

[VC/TX]

clean it real good,heated it up a little with a torch, put some JB weld in the crack while it"s warm.
it will last forever,you can buy the JB weld that dries in 4 hours,I have used this repair on several different blocks that were cracked & leaked water & it always worked for me once you paint it you can not even see the reapair.

 

[Dug G.]

what Roger said....

 

[Anonymous-0]

Might work - but lacing the crack with tapered cast iron pins definately will work better.And need no heat to spread the crack even worse.
Ask a local machine shop about them.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Don't use bronze when your done it could cause the block to spider crack. V the crack with a grinder and weld it half an inch to one inch at a time, peen the block while it cools and don't weld again until you can hold your hand on the block. You can use ni-rod or a cast iron stick rod like lincoln ferrow weld. The nice part about the cast rod is it will rust up like cast iron when your done and if ground right you won't see the repair. The biggest key to welding a block is not to get it to warm thats why I never use a torch on them. If its done right you shouldn't require any other sealents.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I think I would try grinding it out a little and using the J.B. Weld. You may want to drill a small hole at each end of the crack to help keep it from spreading. My second choice would be to add a few electric stitch welds and fill in the voids with J.B. Weld. Either way, you can grind it off smooth after you finish and no one will know it was repaired.