Classic/Antique Car Repair/Crack in Cyl block

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Expert: - 1/19/2009


Question

Cyl Block
I have a 1927 chevrolet engine with a crack in the block and wanted to know how to repair it. Do they still drill and plug or is there a better way now. I am a retired mechanic lost touch with a lot of repair methods these days

Answer
Hi Giibert:
This is one of those questions that has no real right answer, it depends on what the person answering the question sees as right. Just a short time ago I did a crack repair for a customer using the drill, tap, and insert threaded pipe plugs and then cut them off flush with the block. The customer wanted the repair to look vintage. The only deviation that I used was to use two part epoxy on the threads to seal it up tight. There are those that weld using MIG or TIG and others using a combination. And there is the old brazing technique. I know of a couple of Model A engines that I brazed thirty years ago that are still running and holding coolant. I used to sit the block on an old wood stove and fire the stove up for 8 or so hours unit the block was over 200 degrees. Then brazed the crack while the block was on the stove still fired up. Of course I drilled the ends of the crack with a small drill to keep the crack from spreading.
Brad
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThanks for the information Brad. I will think this one through & decide witch way to.


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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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