My Willys 3A and 3B Community
3A, 3B, DJ Technical Knowledge Base => "Modifications"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Incites => Topic started by: garage gnome on April 03, 2013, 08:49:36 PM
-
Often times, you get a crack in cast iron that can be repaired, but you don't want to do the lock-n-stitch method for whatever reason. So, this is an alternative method you can easily do. My '28 6HP Fairbanks head had two cracks, so I thought this would be a good time to show what I did. This type of fix is good for broken exhaust manifolds, low pressure water jackets, and any other repairs that are not under high stresses.
If it is a crack and not a break, then drill a hole at the end of the crack. Sometimes, it is hard to find the end of the crack. No problem, take your grinder and V it out first. Then take your torch and warm the area. You should be able to easily see it then. Use a center punch so your drill bit doesn't walk.
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx125/willyscjmj/232A5B7E-165D-4B72-BC10-596AF8CA3DDF-10355-000018997A53A14A.jpg)
Then preheat the area to get it good and warm.
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx125/willyscjmj/D93D8AD7-92AB-4690-80BE-7DFCD86403DC-10355-000018997F968656.jpg)
Then fill in the groove with brass.
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx125/willyscjmj/138828AB-9376-45DF-8684-2AE7686D2D08-10355-000018998535E791.jpg)
And let it cool naturally in room temperature air. DO NOT QUENCH IN WATER! You will undo your work by creating many more cracks! When cast iron cools too quickly, stress cracks form from the rapid shrinkage.
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx125/willyscjmj/7DF84A4B-4F93-4391-9DD2-4B250AD5DF09-10355-0000189994714123.jpg)
It is also option to perform this task on a Fairbanks-Morse work bench. �;D
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx125/willyscjmj/F33FD967-05FD-47CB-90C6-A995FF3FFC3B-10355-000018999A851C9C.jpg)
-
Awesome knowledge shared Nate. Never worked with brass but have done the same process with a mig welder and torn sheet metal. The thing not many people know is the drilling of the hole at the ends of cracks, tears, and splits. If you don't, it'll continue to separate. I don't want to highjack the thread or anything but I do want to put this question out there. I was restoring my Dual-matic hubs and noticed some stress cracks in the cover. My question is this, is tig welding my best option? Is this a common issue with these? They are VERY small stress fractures (2 of them) and I've debated on not doing anything with them. I doubt I'd see any major failure or seepage from these. I apologize for no pics and can get some if it'll help.
-
Are the stress cracks on the outside edge where the bolt holes are?
-
Yes, I will post pics tonight