in the early 80's i owned a truck shop in western kansas,, being a small shop you take on all sorts of stuff others won't touch
having had some experience with cast repair welding, my little shop soon had all sorts of cast stuff comeing in
things like 20 ton winch housings, which are mostly cast steel, freeze cracked heads and blocks, and a plethora of cast aluminum
parts from pistons with holes in them to harley primary cases.
since coming to washington 20 years ago, i have repaired many gear housings and some engine parts using the nickel alloy rod
as for cast iron, my preferred method almost exclusively is the use of a nickel alloy arc rod
prepping the area is key, vee out and all that,, a root pass to cook out the oil (which castings seem so absorb)
regrind out the Vee, and then weld in short stitch of about 1/4 to 1/2" lenth, rapidly followed by peening with a chipping hammer
to relieve the stresses.
stitch,,, peen
wash rinse and repeat
the use of this method keeps the heat down in the casting and keeps down stresses,
if you peen as you stitch the stresses in the weld are relieved as you go.
Jack should pipe up here somewhere with a recommendation for a good welding rod,, i cannot remember which one i used back
then and i am still useing the remains of a 50# can i bought in '85.
if you ask around you should be able to find a welder that is comfortable doing the job.
just be sure and have him explain how he would do it.
if he mentions the judicious use of his chipping hammer to relieve the weld
you probably have found the right guy.
btw,, can you post a picture of the problem area?
bob g
