Small Crack in Legacy Head

If the machine shop has been doing this type work for a long time, I'd say you can trust them.

They are not about to let a known problem go out the door.

It's aluminum so it can be welded if needed.

We had our Honda race head welded more then you can ever imagine.

A long time ago... I had a head machined and they cracked it while putting in new valve guides. They tried to claim the issue would be okay and that it didn't matter... right up until they admitted they were just hoping I'd accept a cracked head. In short... this sounds familiar.

did you take the head and install it as it? what was your solution to the issue?

well if it works its way deeper then you need to fix it, since you'll lose compression through the crack, and oil will seep into the combustion chamber. heads that have that issue are usually junked because you'll just have to pull it out once the crack grows

thanks for this another question though, what's the damage that will take place with oil seeping into the combustion chamber?

It's aluminum, it can be welded and re-machined.

That's what I would do.

Here's my guy's name,

Mark Eastwood

eamsc@sbcglobal.net

You can email him the picture, tell him Byron Smith sent you to him and ask him what he thinks. You can trust what he says. Tell him the short story.

His brother Mike normally answers the emails, but he will tell you what Mark says. the phone is 860 749-2903, Mark normally answers the phone.

BTW, where are you from ?

You should be able to email the picture. I'll try and do it.

If you can get a second opinion that'll be ideal.

If you can get a second opinion that'll be ideal.

Sent,

I seem to get most replys from him in the morning. I'll check tomorrow.

Here's the reply from Mike, Marks brother.

The crack doesn't look like it's in a very good place. I'll have Mark take a look........It's pretty busy here right now and he's with customers.....It may be a while..............Mike

I told Mike in the AM is fine.

He's welcome, I enjoy helping out the young guy's or those that don't have axcess to all the contacts I have made over the years.

As I have said before, I'm luck to have lived most of my life in a small town, we all know each other. Or know who to go ask if they don't know the answer.

Here's the info you were hopeing to hear, well may be not.

Here's our "armchair" diagnosis......

It's difficult to tell how far this crack extends because of the reflection in the picture. If the crack is isolated on the raised boss that centers the valve spring then it can either be left alone or can be removed with a carbide hand tool. If it extends all of the way to the valve guide you run the risk of losing the press on the guide and likewise if it extends all of the way out and under the valve spring we would believe that the head is scrap. It's hard to tell from where we're sitting. Hope that all's well.................Mike

Here's their web site.

http://www.eastwoodsautomachine.com/

Here's the info you were hopeing to hear, well may be not.

 

Here's our "armchair" diagnosis......

 

It's difficult to tell how far this crack extends because of the reflection in the picture. If the crack is isolated on the raised boss that centers the valve spring then it can either be left alone or can be removed with a carbide hand tool. If it extends all of the way to the valve guide you run the risk of losing the press on the guide and likewise if it extends all of the way out and under the valve spring we would believe that the head is scrap. It's hard to tell from where we're sitting. Hope that all's well.................Mike

 

Here's their web site.

 

http://www.eastwoodsautomachine.com/

thanks so much, now fingers crossed that this guy down here knows what he's doing. My mechanic is going based on what the machine shop says and as per them it can be left alone.