Orchidskip,
Only if you melt the parent metal! When you melt the parent metal, the carbon molecules all rush to the molten site. If its cooled quickly, the carbon all remains there, and carbon is brittle...CRACK!!
If the weld zone is cooled very slowly, the carbon atoms have time to migrate back into solution, where they were in the recipie originally and you are off the hook!
Curt's method and filler rod is great for welding large castings like his split manifolds. Thick flanges and relatively thick cast manifolds with great fit-up!
If you used a stick rod on your little broken ear, especially without previous experience, the ear would probably go up in smoke before you could say 'jack sprat'.
Little funky repairs like that are the perfect place for brazing...in my estimation.
Stuart
