Cracked block repair update with Muggy Weld

[AlanCasida]

I already had some Muggy Weld rods so I thought I would experiment an see how it would work. I had an other FE block to practice since I didn't want to start out on the 427 block. I cut grooves in the deck to mimic how I would repair the crack. Instead of stick welding, I removed the flux from the rods and TiG welded it. It didn't come out too bad. I used up what rods I had so I think I'll get some more and do a little more practicing before I commit. I called a well known cast iron welding place up in Wisconsin and he gave me a ball park figure of around $1000 to furnace weld the block then I would need to have a machine shop measure pretty much everything to check for distortion. Here are a few pics.   

[pbf777]

      I realize that this was only the "practice" run, but just as a note or reminder: Be sure to utilize a carbide burr for the trenching process.  First it's clean, not leaving behind embedded materials that might contaminate the welding process; and two, you want a smooth radius in the bottom of the trench, not any sharp striations that may lead to localized stress points that might encourage cracking, whether in the post welding cooling-off period or exhibiting shorter than hopped for fatigue life in service.   

      Scott

[AlanCasida]

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