TIG welding cylinder head cracks

**dom14** · 29th May 2017, 07:53 PM

Hey Guys,

Has anybody tried to DIY fix cylinder head cracks in your backyard?!!
I'm wondering how easy or how hard it is for a DIY!

**NissanPatrol.com.au** · 29th May 2017 07:53 PM

**my third 256** · 30th May 2017, 07:49 AM

you will distort the head when welding and need to get it refaced also they xray the head to find the crachs and also after to make sure penetration of the weld
so yes reel easy to do L.O.L

**mudnut** · 30th May 2017, 11:18 AM

http://www.enginebuildermag.com/2005...crack-repairs/

**dom14** · 30th May 2017, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by my third 256

you will distort the head when welding and need to get it refaced also they xray the head to find the crachs and also after to make sure penetration of the weld
so yes reel easy to do L.O.L

Do they really really x-ray them?/!!!
I thought most places just do a pressure test to find cracks.
I'm guessing x-ray gear are pretty expensive for a typical head shop or may be not?!

**dom14** · 30th May 2017, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by mudnut

http://www.enginebuildermag.com/2005...crack-repairs/

While ago I watched a video of a rebuild shop guy repairing cracks on a cast iron engine block.
But, that was without any welding.

**4bye4** · 30th May 2017, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by dom14

Do they really really x-ray them?/!!!
I thought most places just do a pressure test to find cracks.
I'm guessing x-ray gear are pretty expensive for a typical head shop or may be not?!

With all due respect Dom, thats why you don't use a typical head shop. I worked in a motor rebiulding shop for a while making or modifing heads for drag and circuit racing. We sent them out for Xray and report. just welding the head and surfacing it so you can't see any blemishes is just not good enough. Anyway equipment is not cheep, the Serdi valve seat machine in that shop cost over $50,000 and the two head surfacing machines equal or more, so an xray machine would not have been out of the question. Anyway as I said we used to send the Aluminium heads out after welding and refacing for testing. As usual though, imported new heads and motors virtually shut that shop down. You just can't stay alive doing a few racing heads a year. Plus every goverment body wanted money for waste disposal, environmental licenses, special storage for wash down chemicals and really dangerous stuff like kerosene and the list goes on. Maybe I better go to the what makes me angry thread.

**dom14** · 30th May 2017, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by 4bye4

With all due respect Dom, thats why you don't use a typical head shop. I worked in a motor rebiulding shop for a while making or modifing heads for drag and circuit racing. We sent them out for Xray and report. just welding the head and surfacing it so you can't see any blemishes is just not good enough. Anyway equipment is not cheep, the Serdi valve seat machine in that shop cost over $50,000 and the two head surfacing machines equal or more, so an xray machine would not have been out of the question. Anyway as I said we used to send the Aluminium heads out after welding and refacing for testing. As usual though, imported new heads and motors virtually shut that shop down. You just can't stay alive doing a few racing heads a year. Plus every goverment body wanted money for waste disposal, environmental licenses, special storage for wash down chemicals and really dangerous stuff like kerosene and the list goes on. Maybe I better go to the what makes me angry thread.

Me too. After reading your above post, I'm also angry now.

I reckong few small head rebuilding businesses have gone under in last few years.
The place that did a dodgy job on my RB30 head also no more.
That place was the only place opened during that post x'mas week, and obviously 'cos he wanted to make few more bucks to
stay afloat.