[AT] Cracked diesel block opinion question and welding cast iron

[Cecil Bearden]

I have one of these torches.  It was made by another name about 10 years 
back when I got mine.  It has a nice design for the cutting attachment.  It 
will weld very thin metal.  You can weld shim stock with it.  However, I 
have not used it in over 5 years.  I was welding inside a recessed hole with 
it, and burned the end of the tip I used most of the time, and it has been 
hard to find the tips Until a couple years ago.

I guess what I am saying is that it is nice to have.  However, I weld 
something every time I am in the shop.  I have a wire welder, a stick 
welder, and a plasma cutter, and a propane fired cutting torch.  When I 
braze anything I use the cutting torch!!!
 I would rather have a good 115 v or small wire welder with a small gun on 
it for welding in tight spaces such as exhaust pipes when laying under the 
truck....

I did use that fancy torch when  I was welding the hinge brackets on my 
chevy truck.  I could weld the door edge without burning the paint on the 
outside.  This is where the Henrob works best.   They will demonstrate it at 
shows, but most of the tricks they show require a lot of  "Technique".

In the past couple of years I have taught several employees to weld.  I have 
also been on sites where experienced welders were having a lot of difficulty 
with an out of position or just an unusual repair with the combination of 
thicknesses or alloys.  I have offered my assistance, and had no real 
difficulty performing the job.  I have welded gear teeth on final drives, 
cast iron housings in pinion cages of truck rear ends, and nearly every 
truck frame that was broken within 25 miles of here.

However, I never could weld the crack on the left side of the Perkins engine 
in the Massey Super 90 Perkins engine.  I preheated it, layed it on its 
side, etc, etc.  It always cracked further when it cooled even with 
controlling the heat.  I also used the Henrob on this one.  If welding Cast 
iron, Nickel rod is usually the best with an Arc welder, if you do not need 
to machine the weld later, You can weld in short beads with the nickel rod. 
Stainless rod will work also.  Some stainless rod will machine better, it 
has more nickel in it.  Preheat the block and weld short beads.  Eutectic 
makes a very good Nickel rod.  You can weld oily cast iron with it.  It is 
also about $50 a lb....  If I have a small casting I will lay in over an old 
hot water heater burner and heat it to about 350-400 degrees and then weld 
it.  Then let it cool over a couple of hours or so by reducing the flame. 
This works best in the winter!!!!!   You can put the hot casting in a bucket 
of lime and let it cool in it.  Sand will work too, but if you need to 
machine it, the sand will impart silicon to the iron, and cause brittleness 
of the edge...

I have used a carbon arc torch to braze cast iron with also.  If you need to 
heat a large area and get the bronze to flow into a deep break or cut, this 
works good.  Just be sure to wear a lot of covering.  It can cause a GOOD 
sunburn...

I guess I have rambled too much.   That Perkins block can be welded, but it 
should be out of the tractor, with all the parts removed.  You also need to 
check to see if the crack progresses, will it enter the oil gallery?  I had 
this problem 30 years ago on a chrysler industrial in my old 90 massey 
combine.  There is a tapered plug system that is used to cold patch blocks 
and heads that works pretty good also.  Goodson Machine sells the materials. 
They are on the internet.  I have also seen some very good sheet metal 
patches using a gasket and 1/4 inch bolts tapped into the block...

Just my $0.02

Cecil in OKla

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <K7jdj at aol.com>
To: <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Saturday, December 03, 2005 1:06 AM
Subject: Re: [AT] Cracked diesel block opinion question


> In a message dated 12/2/2005 5:23:19 AM Pacific  Standard Time,
> larry at rockridgefarm.com writes:
> It does a great job on cast  iron, thin aluminum, and sheet
> metal. It will work on steel up to about 1/4  inch.
> They have a web site - google henrob.
>
> I checked this site  out.  Looks to good to be true.  Are there any others
> out there that  use this torch?
>
> Gary
> Renton, WA
>
> Lots of old iron needs  welden
>
> _______________________________________________
> AT mailing list
> Remembering Our Friend Cecil Monson 11-4-2005
> http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at