Randall wrote:
> This link was posted on another list, I thought it might be of general
> interest.
>
> http://www.locknstitch.com/CastIronWelding.htm
>
>
Yeah, from what I can see on the site, they are trying to establish best
practice. But, in practical experience, I've seen cast-iron repairs
were adequate for the intended use. An old Allis-Chalmers four-cylinder
block crack repaired with a half-assed welding job that was perfectly
satisfactory for an engine that didn't exceed 1300 rpm. A very
expensive Caterpillar six-cylinder block that was repaired with the best
Eutectic cast-iron arc rod available, done by a good welder and the
repair was indistinguishable from the original after stress relief,
except for the color of the repair. I myself arc-welded up a crack in a
`58 Mercedes 220S exhaust manifold when no parts were available at
reasonable cost that turned out to be quite serviceable.
I think stress relief is the key to most good cast-iron repairs, since
even the best available rods are pretty hard compared to the base
material, and arc-welding contributes to the brittleness of the
interstice between cast material and the repair material because of the
high heat involved and the air-cooling of the exposed material, which
can make for some weird stresses.
Cheers.
--
Michael Porter
Roswell, NM
Never let anyone drive you crazy when you know it's within walking distance....
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