[SOLVED] Welding/brazing diesel engine block Solved

Doctor John · 2005-02-24T03:50:03+00:00

I have an old log skidder which has a long (around 24 inch) crack linerunning most of the length of the water jacket which is cast into the block.It was repaired years ago by the previous owner with JB Weld epoxy and hasmostly held, but now the epoxy is giving way and some coolant is leakingout. It would be difficult to get this to a professional for repair due toit's size and weight, although I will look into getting someone to come outto where I am. I have an old 200 amp AC stick welder, a Miller 175 MIG anddo not have an Oxy/Ac rig, although I may get one for this if recommended.I know welding /brazing cast iron has been covered before, but I'm perplexedat how to repair this. First, I assume the block is cast iron. If I weldit with cast iron, high nickel content rod, how could I preheat and slow thecooling down on such a huge heat sink? Seems from what everyone hasdiscussed before, I could crack it worse if I don't do this properly. Sothen, what about brazing? Would this hold under this application, and howdifficult would it be to do? If all else fails, I may just grind the JBWeld down, clean it up and apply more epoxy, but this really goes against mynature. Anyway, sorry for being such a nerd on this one - its justsomething I haven't encountered before and I don't want to muck it up.Thanks!John

Feb 24, 2005 22 Replies

Rate this thread:

Doctor John 21 years ago

Now there's an idea! I wonder if solder would "stick" to cast iron. It could be that the galvanized coating allows it to work on some sheet metals. Anyone out there tried this?

John

Vote

Glenn 21 years ago

They used to use lead to join cast iron drain pipe so I think it might work. I have used brazing rod to fix water jacket cracks with great success. Whatever you use you will probably want to drill the ends of the crack. A weed burner works good to heat the block before brazing it. For solder to wick into the crack you would need to clean it so there was no antifreeze or crud from coolant in the crack. Glenn

Vote