cracked block!

[hawk]

I popped my bonnet on my fc this afternoon after going for a drive and noticed water seeping from the block .Its not coming from welch plugs .Can this be welded up or am i up for a new motor. ps its a grey motor any advice would be appreciated. Regards Greg

[craiga]

Greg,

Are you 100% sure it's not coming from somewhere else and running along the block? Is it near the water pump, under the exhaust manifold - whereabouts?

I thought the engine in your car was recently re-coed?

Craig.

[hawk]

Craig its on the left side under exhaust manifold about a few inches up from where the sump meets the block i can email a picture if you are interested .I actually saw the water seeping out.Regards Greg

[ACE]

Hi Greg,
I had the same problem a few years ago on a old blokes car that i maintain.
I used a additive to the cooling system called "chemiweld" as a temporary repair.
The car is still going and no sign of a leak. ;)
Hope this helps,
Regards ACE  8)

[graham_fuller]

hi Greg,
Sorry to hear you have troubles.Can you post a pic showing the problem?Maybe you can contact the guy @auto pro Blacktown who had the rebuild done there should be some sort of warranty.
Cheers,
Graham

[craiga]

Greg,

Not great news, but I agree with both Ace and Graham.

As Ace says, Chemiweld works a treat, but I'm sure I remember that the engine in your car was rebuilt. Check any receipts with the car, and then do what Graham says about contacting Auto Pro. They seemed like really good guys, and should be more than willing to help.

Cheers,

Craig.

[Grah]

Dependent upon where and how large the crack is there is a process called "Metalock", which is used for large commercial castings as a means of "stitching" the crack or casting back together. A similar way is to drill the crack along its length with holes of a similar diameter to small copper brazing rod. Thread the brazing rod and tap the drilled holes. Once the rod has been screwed in, peen the end over, make sure that all of the peened ends interlock, drill holes need to be pretty close together and you have a patent repair. Very useful for cast iron manifolds and various other cast iron blocks, either nodular or grey. Like I say it depends on size and accessability of the damage.

Might be useful.

Grah.

[graham_fuller]

Greg I bumped into the guy from Auto Pro @Motorex and he bought back the Grey FC they had restored.He said he would be at All Holden Day in 3 weeks with the car and I invited him to park with us and to join the club.
cheers,
Graham

[hawk]

Craig and Graham there was documents with the car that said that there is no warranty on the work done on the car .I will get some chemiweld today and do that tomorrowand let you know how that goes .Regards Greg

[graham_fuller]

Hi Greg,
If i see the guy at All Holden I will discuss it with him if you like.
Cheers,
Graham

[RET]

Hmmm.  It's one thing to say "OK, it's a 45 year old car, there's no warranty".  But if they put a GEM/BMH motor in it, then that should still have a guarantee.  I'd check that out before possibly voiding any guarantee it did have by attempting to fix it yourself.

I'm sorry to hear about your dramas.  Let me know if there's anything I can help with.

cheers
RET

[hawk]

Here is a picture of where the water is coming from Regards. Greg.

[hawk]

I flushed the cooling system today added Chemiweld did as instructions said but still the block is seeping water :(. Has anyone got anymore ideas or do i need to see a mechanic ? Regards Greg.

[graham_fuller]

Hi Greg,
Does not look good.I would seek the opinion of a professional.
cheers,
Graham