caferacermike
Bronze Member
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2012
- Messages
- 63
- Location
- Austin TX
- Tractor
- Satoh Beaver S370, Ducati Paul Smart Sport Classic 1000DS, Ducati S4RS Tricolore Monster, Norton Commando
So uh yeah seems that after a long summer of overheating I'm now on to a cracked block.
After spending all summer doing little repairs to the Beaver to get it to stop overheating, finally got it good late in the fall. Seems I neglected to check to make sure the antifreeze mix was correct after one of the last pokings. Went out a week ago to check on the tractor only to find some nice 3" long vertical cracks between the water jacket and the outside. My friend said the tractor fired up right away and ran well for about 10 minutes before starting to bog. Then it stalled. That's when he decided to do a full vehicle check, instead of before like he should have. Not worried about the engine. Heck I could have cooked bacon on that motor several times last summer I had gotten it so hot and it would quit running. Next day it would run like a top again. Motor is not locked.
So I fear an engine teardown as parts are so scarce. I'm a put in new rings and bearings kind of guy once it's torn down. So I'm considering attempting to weld the cracks in place. I'm sure it's just grey cast iron so it won't be a fun job. I'm looking to try the slow and cold approach. Basically fill the 180 mig with 307 stainless wire and just tack weld it all the way making one tack every 30 minutes. Basically never getting the cast iron hot.
I'm also considering some of those dirty cast iron brazing rods I've seen at $30 a rod and use a MAPP torch. Maybe brass filler?
I'm all ears. This thing is tough as nails and would hate to part it out over a crack in the water jacket. I figure if my welding doesn't work, I can alway JB epoxy and see if that works.
So how would you go about it?
After spending all summer doing little repairs to the Beaver to get it to stop overheating, finally got it good late in the fall. Seems I neglected to check to make sure the antifreeze mix was correct after one of the last pokings. Went out a week ago to check on the tractor only to find some nice 3" long vertical cracks between the water jacket and the outside. My friend said the tractor fired up right away and ran well for about 10 minutes before starting to bog. Then it stalled. That's when he decided to do a full vehicle check, instead of before like he should have. Not worried about the engine. Heck I could have cooked bacon on that motor several times last summer I had gotten it so hot and it would quit running. Next day it would run like a top again. Motor is not locked.
So I fear an engine teardown as parts are so scarce. I'm a put in new rings and bearings kind of guy once it's torn down. So I'm considering attempting to weld the cracks in place. I'm sure it's just grey cast iron so it won't be a fun job. I'm looking to try the slow and cold approach. Basically fill the 180 mig with 307 stainless wire and just tack weld it all the way making one tack every 30 minutes. Basically never getting the cast iron hot.
I'm also considering some of those dirty cast iron brazing rods I've seen at $30 a rod and use a MAPP torch. Maybe brass filler?
I'm all ears. This thing is tough as nails and would hate to part it out over a crack in the water jacket. I figure if my welding doesn't work, I can alway JB epoxy and see if that works.
So how would you go about it?
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