The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Weld, braze or jb

Hey guys, I just got an engine out of a 41 pick up The number on the engine is eam 314 700. This engine runs really good but has a cracked block. I want to try and fix it, should I weld it, braze it or junk it? any help or jokes will be good

Where is the crack, and how long is it? If it's a relatively short one on the outside of the block, it would be possible to drill a small hole at each end to keep the crack from spreading, V-groove it with a die grinder, and braze it. Just be sure to get the metal clean enough to accept the brass. If it's too dirty, the brass will just pile up on top instead of making a water-tight bond with the block metal. Internal cracks, like from the cylinder into the water jacket, etc. are much more difficult to repair effectively, since they're exposed to combustion heat and more expansion/contraction. Welding with nickel-alloy rod or installing a series of threaded, overlapping plugs to "sew" the crack are more reliable fixes in that case.
Jerry

This crack runs from about four inches from the front of the engine to about four inches from the rear of the engine. On the exhaust side. I do not have any specific use for it. I just wanted to try and save it.

I'm afraid that one is going to be a tough one to salvage. It probably froze and the pushrod side may be cracked worse but the crack is hidden by sludge.

This was a barn find. The man who owns it is turning it into a street rod:( He gave me the engine, trans, front end and rear end. I am a pack rat. I do not like to throw good stuff away.

My '41 216 had a crack in the water jacket, a little above the rail on the driver's side, about 6 inches long. When the engine was out of the truck, the machine shop cleaned it, "v"ed it, and epoxied it.

Well, guess what, even with the luxury of it being on the work bench, it still leaks.

That's the bad news. The good news is that, as long as it's only in the water jacket, it's not a deal-breaker (in my mind, anyway). The pressure isn't very high in the coolant system, and it leaks intermittently. As long as I keep the level up, no worries.

Anyway, I wouldn't put a lot of faith in epoxying it or JB weld for CURING the leak, but they're easy fixes for at least getting it driveable. Can't speak to welding/brazing etc.

-Hope this helps.

-Michael

With a crack that big, I wouldn't try to fix it. There are plenty of those blocks around yet, just have to know where to look.

Do you happen to have one? Or know where I might find one,close to Tulsa?

Not close to Tulsa, but there are some in Hebron, Nebraska. I am sure there are some closer than that to you. Probably someone else on this forum in your area could possibly help you.

Iam sure many of you here under stand the frustration of having a sixty some year old engine that will start in about three cranks but is non useable:(