The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Cylinder Head

I've been reading here regarding heads and cracks. It appears that they are very common. I have mine at the machine shop now (1951 Chevy 216 ci) and have been told I have a few cracks in the combustion chamber. As I was taking the engine apart I did not see any water/antifreeze in the oil. The creacks were determined during magnfluxing. Has anyone just left them and the engine runs fine? What is the recommendation? I've checked into sending it out and having it repaired and that is costly (and undetermined until thay have it).
I'm asking as it is my understanding that on some auto's it is common to have cracks and they are just left and all runs just fine.
Thanks Kevin

You should have it pressure tested and that would give you a better idea. Myself, I don't know whether a good pressure test result at room temperature is a perfect indicator of how it will perform. However if it leaks, for sure it would be a problem.

On my head, where the combustion chamber crack was, there was no carbon. That should have been a tip off for me.

I had a combustion chamber crack on my 235 head. I sent it to Chapin Welding in Chapin Il. last summer. They repair and rebuild heads of all sorts. At the time any automotive head repair was a flat $200. That included fluxing, flame welding the crack, pressure tesing, new hardened valve seats installed and ground, new valve stem seals. Took 6 weeks to get it back, but very happy with it. They slow heat and cool the head in an oven for welding as must be done with cast iron.
Number is 217-472-5121.

Thanks for all the help! I did call the Chapin, IL place, they are now callled RJS Machine & Welding. It's a flat $300 which includes hardened seats, guides, fix cracks, mill surface and if I send the valves will put them in.
Thanks Kevin

I pulled my receipt, it was $300 for me too, don't know where the $200 popped into my head.I shipped it with the rockers and all in it and they reassembled and sent it back completey assembled. All I had to do was flush it clean, paint it, and bolt it on. I debated driving it down as I live in the northern end of IL but in the end I shipped it. Maybe you are closer.

How do these guys make a living? I would expect to pay at least that for a weld repair.

To BZTguy
What part of Northern Il? I live in Algonquin.
Kevin