How to repair damage to a deck
 

How can a flathead block deck be repaired? I have a gouge from a valve seat to the coolant port on the sealing area to repair about a 1/4 wide and a 1/32-1/16” deep.
JB weld would be too easy, I don’t think it would hold.
Can it be bronzed? A couple dabs with the mig and filed down? Would silver solder be too hot? I’ve repaired an exhaust manifold with a nickel rod on the arc welder but it was much thicker and I would be way to nervous to strike out an arc on the block.
Thanks

Re: How to repair damage to a deck
 

I would like to see a picture.

Re: How to repair damage to a deck
 

Not one of my better days. Fighting stuck valves.

Re: How to repair damage to a deck
 

Damage

Re: How to repair damage to a deck
 

JB Weld is supposed to be good for up tp 400 degrees F. However if the damage goes into the seat I would put a new insert in that seat. But I would reserve judgement until I could see a photo.

Re: How to repair damage to a deck
 

Now that i've seen the photos. I would not be afraid to use JB weld, provided there is not a crack that goes deeper than the pictures show.

Re: How to repair damage to a deck
 

Agreed JBWeld should work fine. A bit more substantial fix might be to paint the gouge with a tinplating solution. Then drip soft solder to fill the void. Jack E/NJ

Re: How to repair damage to a deck
 

No crack, self inflicted.

Re: How to repair damage to a deck
 

Okay. I have a few different solders that melt at different temperatures from repairs to Indian gas tanks
I like the idea of solder

Re: How to repair damage to a deck
 

I agree with Kay. My old eyes can't discern those unclear photos. Did you use the MACRO setting on your camera for clarity?

Re: How to repair damage to a deck
 

More pictures

Re: How to repair damage to a deck
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...9&d=1617823864

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...0&d=1617823864

Re: How to repair damage to a deck
 

You have to determine if the crack goes all the way down into the valve chamber before any method of repair can be done ( if possible)
Otherwise you are SOL.

Re: How to repair damage to a deck
 

It is not a crack, it’s a gouge caused by me.

Re: How to repair damage to a deck
 

What caused that deep of a gouge? Chisel?

Re: How to repair damage to a deck
 

I'm thinking epoxy won't take the heat in that area and will eventually fail. Silver solder doesn't work well for a filler. Brazing with bronze rod may be the best method to fill it without imparting too much heat and distortion. That's a tough spot, due to the uneven thickness and hole edge. Good preheat and slow cool will be the most important things for success.
Good luck!

Re: How to repair damage to a deck
 

Okay thanks

Re: How to repair damage to a deck
 

Recep saw

Re: How to repair damage to a deck
 

Solder or brazing likely better than JB weld. Although that is some tough stuff properly installed. Patched a lowerUnit on outboard Motor that lasted years in tough saltwater conditions.

Re: How to repair damage to a deck
 

I would stitch it, from the water hole, to just inside the fire ring.