Bad flatty day, is this crack fatal?

[fenders53]

Really thought I had a good block. Hard to get a good PIC due to glare from camera flash. Their is a vertical crack in the middle of the blue tape. A surface crack at this point, but a crack nonetheless, from the valve seat to the waterjacket. This block is junk?

[Ol' Ron]

Depends, how far into the port does it go? Get it stitched and put a new seat in it.

[fenders53]

Doesn't appear to go into the port at all yet. Appears to be a light surface crack. I know that can be deceiving though. Guess it's time to find out what my local machine shops are capable of.

[ford3]

if your in no.cal area there is a machine shop here that can fix that

[fenders53]

I am in Iowa. I'll have to talk to the local machine shops. I have no idea if anyone around here pins blocks. Flatties are not at all common around here.

[40 Deluxe]

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Arnold Motors in Fort Dodge has, or had anyway, a guy who is supposed to be a flathead expert.

[Ronnie]

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

Depends, how far into the port does it go? Get it stitched and put a new seat in it.

That's where I would go also.

R

[fenders53]

Appreciate the info guys. Fort Dodge is about a 7 HR round trip for me. Certainly better than throwing a block away though. I have one local shot that I know of. A very old and well equipped shop in Davenport, Iowa. They have done machining on my street/strip cars and also the Howitzers I repair for a living. I know they do a lot of work on large old industrial motors, so I am guessing they could have some experience on cast iron crack repair.

[KGS]

fenderless53.
Here's an email address for a great shop
in Iowa City. Very knowlegeable on Flatheads.
Just change the at to @ and dot to . in the address.
supereal8 at msn dot com

[fenders53]

Thank you KGS. That's only an hour ride. I sent them an email.

[t-head]

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

Depends, how far into the port does it go? Get it stitched and put a new seat in it.

Ron is right.....We have fixed many this way. Any good machine shop should be able to do it.

[37don]

Have the block NDT'D (magged) by a good shop and that will tell you exactly where the crack starts and ends. Like OL'Ron said a good stitch job will likely fix it fine.
Regards, Don

[Mike51Merc]

What's a surface crack?

[the cooch]

You restore Howitzers? Big market for that? Not being a smart ass (this time), just had no idea! Ski resorts out west here have small guns for blasting avalanches, and I've seen 'em in museums, but can just anybody fire one out in the back yard? I know some "machine shop cannon" guys, but no collectors...You must have an interesting clientele for that. I really want my own now!

[fenders53]

Originally Posted by the cooch

You restore Howitzers? Big market for that? Not being a smart ass (this time), just had no idea! Ski resorts out west here have small guns for blasting avalanches, and I've seen 'em in museums, but can just anybody fire one out in the back yard? I know some "machine shop cannon" guys, but no collectors...You must have an interesting clientele for that. I really want my own now!

No cooch, I supervise a military maintenance facility lol. My primary customer is a Howitzer Battalion. I have restored a few antiques, but they are DEMILed and they just aren't as fun after you do that.

[bart78]

I grew up in the class three weapon world. My dads shop built machine guns. You would be amazed what you can own that is pre ban. I have seen some impressive private collections. And everything works.

[rotorwrench]

There are depots out there that fix just about anything that the military can wear out or break. What ever they can't repair in house, they sub out.

The first class 3 weapon my brother and I ever purchased was an M2 heavy barrel .50 that had been either cut or cracked in the receiver. It was welded back up and worked like a champ. You can hardly kill those old Brownings. I don't know how many thousands of rounds we shot through it before we traded it for some other stuff.

[bart78]

My first was a Mac in 45acp. But the best I have is my m60. Our new California neighbors think its evil. After them calling the sheriffs dept a few times. They were told not to call anymore. I have a mount for it on my Polaris ranger. And we take it pig hunting.

[fenders53]

The M2 is the only old school weapon left in my armory. We still have them and they perform well with minimal care. It can't talk to the satellites and locate itself on the battlefield, but it is sure a lot less trouble for us maintainers.

[Ol' Ron]

Here in Vermont its legal to cary just about anything you want. SO, I'm looking for a 5"-38 like I had in the Navy. Great rifle, very accurate out to 20,000 yards.