[Farmall] WD-6 Engine Block Repairs

[John Hall]

Cast iron is simple to weld when talking about but in practice can be very 
frustrating. The last cast iron I welded was the transmission housing on my 
Titan 10-20. Long story short I drilled out the end of every crack I could 
find--somewhere around 18 holes in my case. Then I V'd out the cracks with 
the grinder. Next I preheated the casting with a torpedo heater like you use 
on construction sites etc. Then I heated the repair area with the rosebud. 
Next I welded with nickel rod--had the welder set on 80. I kept the rosebud 
running to keep from allowing the casting to cool too quickly. As I backed 
off from the rosebud I stuck the casting back in front of the torpedo 
heater, and after a short while I cut it off. Heating and cooling as slow as 
possible are key factors in a succesful weld in cast iron.  This is just 
what worked for me and I am NOT a professional welder, so don't take my 
process to be set in stone.

John
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Allan Brown" <abrown4804 at msn.com>
To: "Farmall/IHC mailing list" <farmall at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2007 7:58 PM
Subject: [Farmall] WD-6 Engine Block Repairs


> Howdy all-
>
>    I was repairing the leaking coolant cover on the left side of my WD-6's 
> engine block behind the injector pump, and I took the cover off to find 3 
> cracks in in my block! ;-(  Does anyone have any tips for trying to weld 
> an engine block? I have ground the cracks down enough to get some 
> penetration, and I figured I'd see what you guys have to say before I 
> welded it.  Any information would helpful- what kind of rod works best, 
> recommended voltage, ect.  The engine is a D248, Tractor Serial number 
> WDBK39486 which should make it a 1942  (That is with the 6 in the suffix 
> removed).  Please let me know if you need any other information about the 
> tractor or the situation...
>
>     Last, incase the welds don't hold, let me know if you or anyone you 
> know has an engine block or spare WD-6 they would be willing to sell.  I 
> can talk over the phone, please e-mail me separately if you would like to 
> go that path and I will get you my number.
>
> Thanks for the help,
>
> Allan Brown
> Steamboat Springs, CO
> Yampa Valley Antique Power Club Member
>
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