Cracked Head Repair

[case310350]

Not much traffic here but here goes

May have a cracked head on an ec3 diesel engine. Mixed info out there on repairs. Looking for insight and recommendations on repair.

Seems spray welding has good press but called the machine shop and they said no good. maybe stitching?

New head is 2000, so if repair is possible that's the way i want to go

 

[yomax4]

Spray is not the best on thick material or combustion areas. To offer up repair options on here you would need to provide good pics maybe even after Magnafluxed.. 50/50 on whether it's repairable as it is now.

 

[JerryK]

Every time I get a cracked head, I try to please the wife in every way possible, as long as possible. It is a pain, but not as much as the frying pan can inflict....

 

[LouNY]

The only cracked head repair that I have ever seen hold was when the crack was drilled at the ends pined and welded
by a very good welder.
I have heard of 10-12 being attempted and only a couple that worked.
Good Luck

 

[ns_in_tex]

I never knew if it was a gasket or crack, but had a 65 Chev PU. About 30M mile it would miss on cold crank up from water leaking into one cylinder. We put a radiator stop leak in it that looked like powdered graphite. Sold that truck at 100M mi without any more trouble.

 

[WranglerX]

I never knew if it was a gasket or crack, but had a 65 Chev PU. About 30M mile it would miss on cold crank up from water leaking into one cylinder. We put a radiator stop leak in it that looked like powdered graphite. Sold that truck at 100M mi without any more trouble.

AlumAseal(R) Radiator Stop Leak & Conditioner | Gold Eagle

Could it be this.... Used to come in plastic tube looked about same size a roll of quarters....

Dale

 

[TimberHole]

I have had heads fixed, one just a year or so ago. The shop I have used pins them. Same shop pinned a cracked block for a relative 25 years ago. The block is still in service. I think in many cases it’s not that it can’t be done, it’s that the old guys that know how to do it are no longer around.

 

[TMGT]

Theres a shop by me that specializes in casting repairs, might be one by you or depending on location might be cost effective to send it to them.
Shop is called "The Restoration Shop" located in Stafford, VA

 

[mini14]

Knowledge Center - Muggy Weld

 

[case310350]

interesting site

 

[crazyal]

I had a shop fix an intake/ exhaust manifold for a boat engine. It had rust in the water drain hole so water stayed in it over the winter and cracked the manifold. The guy knew what he was doing, pre/ post heated it and used the right rod. It never had a problem since then. I suspect that finding the right person is the key.