Cracked Block Buda B230

Duke 40 · Member

Cracked Block Buda B230

Cockshutt560 · Administrator

You can find a lot of good information on Welding and stitching here.

http://www.locknstitch.com/Metal_Stitching.htm

Duke 40 · Member

I have sent pics to Lock Stitch in California. Waiting for a response. After looking at their website and reading about the process, I believe I can use this method to fix my crack. I want to use the Tractor for field work and occasional tractor pull. Can I place that kind of stress on the engine without fear of cracking the block again? What is your opinion.

Cockshutt560 · Administrator

The crack appears to be in the water jacket and would not have any affect on the structural integrity of the block. I would have the block checked for any other cracks and if there isn't any I would repair it and run it.

rriley · Veteran Member

I have the same problem, maybe worse. Trying to find an old block or old engine myself.

Handy_Man_01 · Member

I never understood why Buda forgot to put freeze plugs on the right side location of the B153. They had some on other variants of the engine that did have freeze plugs there. I had my block welded with Nickel. They started with Brass and it made the crack worse. You need go to an expert that can heat the block and cool it at a slow rate to cut down on the threat of cracking. I had another block I was working on a while back that had a crack located in between the sleeves on the deck. I had to recycle that one. No way to fix that kind of crack and I heard it happened a lot on that block.

Mike(NEOhio) · Senior Member

Check the Lincoln Electric website. lincolnelectric.com. You should be able to find some good info on welding castings. Search the site for articles. I work there, those guys in the welding school are good.

Those "freeze plugs" are actually core plugs for the openings in the castings to remove the ceramic core that forms the water jacket. They're not intended to protect the block from freezing. On a wet sleeve block the bores are open so there's no need for the side openings. Machining for the plug just adds cost.

-- Edited by Mike(NEOhio) on Friday 27th of April 2012 07:07:26 PM

Handy_Man_01 · Member

Just the same I have had to replace "freeze plugs" on engines that had water in them when the temperature dipped below freezing. Popped in some new plugs and everything was fine. Also I have seen Buda 4B153 and 4B182 engines for industrial applications and they had freeze plugs and wet sleeves. I have attached a picture for reference. So I know that they serve a function greater than removing a ceramic core.

rriley · Veteran Member

Have you ever heard from Lock & Stitch yet? I sent an e-mail also this year and no response yet.