Crack repair

[Ralph Irwin]

Anyone have any dealings with thermal welding or spray welding cracked engine blocks. I have a numbers matching 1970 big block with a cracked bellhousing flange. I found a couple places in Cincinnati (Midwest Thermal Spray and Cincinnati Thermal Spray) that may be able to do the job. I was wondering if anyone had any thing to say about them. Thank you.

Later.....

[Jack H.]

Re: Crack repair

The rear apron is really a 'cosmetic' area of the block. Welding on cast iron is tricky, but experienced welders with MIG/TIG equipment can ususally get a decent fix. It's when you've got cracks in strategic areas (water jacket) that you start rolling the dice with exotic weld techniques.

Personally, if I had the original block and it was damaged in a CRITICAL area, I wouldn't hesitate to document the damage and pursue a 'restoration' substitute engine vs. attempting machine shop 'heroics' to re-use the original. Who knows, some subsequent owner might actually want to use/drive the car and the thermal stress of heat/cool has been known to overtax more than one 'bullet proof' weld repair!

But, that's my personal view. There are others who believe there's something so special about the car's factory original motor, that it's a religious violation to 'restore' by substitution even if one is 'up front' and makes an honest declaration of the swap.... In my book 'parts is parts' and if there's full disclosure and a good quality job is done who cares if the block's only 'sin' is it spent prior years in a truck/taxi/pass car?

But, in your case, if the only damage is on the rear apron, hey go fix it and I don't think you'll have to resort to exotic technology. A few face to face interviews with 'been there/done that' machinests in your area will probably yield reasonable/cost effective results.

[Ed Jennings]

Blasphmey!!!!

You will no doubt roast in the ETERNAL FIRE for that viewpoint. See ya there!

[Jack H.]

AAAAArghhh, the heat!!!!!!! *NM*