Exhaust manifold repairs-exceptional workmanship

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  • April 3, 2017 at 5:27 pm #392012
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    While in the process of freshening up the engine on my ’32 I found a big crack on the underside of my exhaust manifold. The crack went about 1/2 the way around but never made a sound so I had no idea there was a crack. I know brazing or welding was not the answer. Luckily I found a shop newar Buffalo that specializes in this kind of work. A little worried because the manifolds are hard to find. When I went to the shop for an estimate I felt much better. They were repairing a 12 cylinder Ferrari block that had 1/2 of the #1 cylinder and corner of the block blown off. A rare Porsche engine that ate a few rods, a Model T block and Fuelie ‘Vette block that had a bunch of cracks from freezing. The most impressive was a GE locomotive engine that had a 2’x2’ hole from a rod.

    April 3, 2017 at 5:29 pm #404435
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    The first two pictures show how far the crack went.

    April 3, 2017 at 5:33 pm #404436
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    Here is a picture after the repair. Once it is painted no one will ever see it. If anyone needs work done these guys are great. They even have a mobile crew that travels.

    Metal Locking Service

    216 Colgate Ave.

    Buffalo NY 14220

    716-824-4359

    April 3, 2017 at 5:34 pm #404437
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    The process is drilling the crack and threading in a pin and the overlap and repeat.

    Here is a photo of the GE locomotive engine they were repairing. Impressive

    April 3, 2017 at 6:31 pm #404438
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    Jim,

    Nice share. Now to find someone on the West Coast that does that kind of work.

    How did you find them? Was it a google search for welding?

    Thank you for sharing,

    Ken

    April 3, 2017 at 6:54 pm #404440
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    Ken- no welding in this process. Googled cast iron repair. If you need a repair you can ship to them with no worries. They had a lot of high end pieces there. They also have their mobile repair unit that will come to your place…that sounds expensive

    April 3, 2017 at 8:01 pm #404443
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    I have used this method successfully on a couple different heads & cars. With the correct supplies, tools and patience almost anyone can do a solid repair this way with much less risk of side effects than welding.

    Dave

    April 3, 2017 at 9:53 pm #404445
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    If you want to see more of this kind of work, look up Reynolds-French in Tulsa on the internet. There are photos of some of their amazing repairs on their web page.

    One of their retirees used to do this in his garage for hobbyists at a very reasonable cost.

    April 3, 2017 at 10:30 pm #404447
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    I found this company in California that does metal stitching.

    LOCK-N-STITCH Inc.

    1015 S. Soderquist Rd., Turlock, CA 95380

    Tel: 800-736-8261Fax: 209-632-1740

    Email: [email protected]

    They state that they supply all of the other companies

    specializes in all aspects of the

    Repair of cracked and

    damaged cast iron

    and other cast metals.

    April 3, 2017 at 10:41 pm #404448
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    Very interesting.

    Is it strong? or only cosmetic?

    Thanks

    Jim

    April 3, 2017 at 11:40 pm #404449
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    I’ve used Lock-N-Stitch and was very happy with the results. Both cylinders in the EX valve port on a 1906 Tourist. Jim

    April 3, 2017 at 11:44 pm #404450
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    Jim L,

    That is good to hear. I have a head that I would like some work done on. It has a very small leak. How expensive are repairs?

    Thank you,

    Ken

    April 4, 2017 at 9:10 am #404453
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    This is an excellent method for repairing block cracks between the exhaust valve port and the cylinder. They use a pin material that expands at the same rate as the cast iron so that the repair stays tight through the heating and cooling cycles. I had my ’29 block successfully stitched.

    Bill

    April 4, 2017 at 10:37 am #404454
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    Ken Arritt

    pdxtigwelding.com they are in Portland,Or. Their video is the reason I tried the products from muggy weld with excellent results

    muggyweld.com

    hope this helps you

    April 4, 2017 at 11:15 am #413149
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    Ken, I highly recommend Lock-n-Stitch in Turlock, CA. About 15 years ago — !!! — a 2.5″ lock crack into cylinder, plus several small ones, cost me $600, which I found VERY reasonable.

    April 4, 2017 at 12:28 pm #404455
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    The Lock-n-Stitch method is unique. The plugs have an inverse thread profile that pulls the crack together rather than wedging it apart, as tapered threads do when tightening them. I have a sample that is cut in two and the halves are held together by the plug when finger tight! They even sell kits for DIYs.

    April 4, 2017 at 6:39 pm #404457
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    Stitching is a good day quaility repair. We have a local expert here who works wonders. Much better than welding. Experience is important. I wouldn’t trust an irreplaceable block or head to a novice. There was a guy at Hershey in the old days who cut a Ford V-8 in half, stitched it back together and had it running on the field. Old school still rules the day.

    April 4, 2017 at 11:43 pm #404459
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    Ken,

    I don’t remember the cost of the repair exactly but it didn’t matter in that case since the head and cyl are one piece and not available, there are only about 10 cars that exist. Between the repairs and the shipping both ways from Tucson I think it was just under $1000. Jim L

    April 5, 2017 at 1:05 am #404460
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    Thank you everyone for the feedback.

    Ken

    April 5, 2017 at 11:17 am #404465
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    I have and currently use Lock & Stitch repair materials. Like Bob Koch said, they have a unique thread design that actually pulls a crack together as the repair plug is threaded into the prepared crack.

    You can actually take a part that has cracked into two pieces, clamp it together, and start locking the crack together, when done, it is usually as serviceable as it was when original and one piece of metal. Just look at the huge locomotive engine crankcase the Jim Hytner posted a photo of, it was in two pieces.

    Greg Long

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