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Cracked Block, leaking coolant, cant sell it

Wild_Bill

Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2018
Messages
7
Location
Troy, NY
1970 580CK.

Got a long hairline crack (12 inches) in the block from 'decades ago' from what my buddy told me when he sold it to me.

He assumes it's a coolant freeze crack as there's no coolant/oil mixing.

Weeps coolant in drips constantly. Never gave me any issues as long as I topped off coolant before use.

Can't sell the damn thing as everyone that sees it gets scared off.

Tried some Steel Stick JB on it. Cleaned and grooved it up real good. didnt take.

Was thinking about some bars leak or blue devil block seal but am scared it could clog the radiator and such.

Lock n stitch seems to be an option but i can't pull the engine and the crack is damn long.

Also considering brazing, but never done that before. and got a buddy that can TIG weld, but that scares me too.

Suggestions?
 

Wild_Bill

Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2018
Messages
7
Location
Troy, NY
I've got a few friends that TIG weld. is stick better for some reason, or just the most popular due to cost?
 

partsandservice

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2011
Messages
846
Location
Georgia
I would assume any proper weld/braze in this situation would require disassemble of the engine and the entire block would need to heated to a certain temp to eliminate warpage/draw. I doubt there is any specific on what that temp is, but may included in the paper work with the rods mentioned above. Also slowing the cool of the steel would need to be considered as well.
 
Last edited:

TomA

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2012
Messages
143
Location
Mariposa, CA
I have had good success with jbWeld in water jacket cracks. Needs to be ve e e d and clean. I did mine in hot weather and two coats one week apart. Advantage is no engine removal or disassembly required. Can be ground smooth.
 

Welder Dave

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2014
Messages
12,257
Location
Canada
I knew a guy that would MIG weld cracks in blocks and seemed to have success. Maybe try JB weld or other type of epoxy and if it doesn't hold, could be ground off and try something else.
 

matthew ralston

New Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2021
Messages
3
Location
92591
I just acquired a 580ck that I am trying to do full rebuild of the engine and wanted to get advice on using the original block or trying to find another one. the block has a few small verical cracks at the top where the sleeves sit. i heard this is pretty common and should not pose a problem since the orings are at the bottom portion and the head gasket will seal the top. This seems to be ok, but the main concern I have is that at the front of the block there are two lower front mounting ears broken off where the block mounts to the chassis. It appears the PO left the bolts loose and the engine shook itself. I was thinking I could possibly use washers over what is left of the ears or maybe try building them back with weld. One of the top ears has a small crack, but it is not broken off. Looking around I found a used block for $1300, but who knows how much better it is. I got the backhoe for free and it came with a rear ganon
 

dieseldog5.9

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2014
Messages
614
Location
New Hampshire
There is a product called muggy weld on ebay that can be used either tig weld or arc welder, specifically for welding engine blocks.
 

hosspuller

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2014
Messages
1,869
Location
North Carolina

1693TA

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2010
Messages
2,687
Location
Farmington IL
Occupation
FAA Radar Engineer, (Retired)
I've had very good success with Lincoln Ni-55 over the years including cylinder blocks but not with one installed into a chassis. The weld puddle is too fluid to do much anything out of position and will run easily.
 

JL Sargent

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2018
Messages
842
Location
Alabama
Anything to fix this?
Yikes! Hell no.
200w.gif
 
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