[KJL]

I am looking to purchase a pair of heads. After closely reviewing the pictures that were provided by the seller I noticed a repair between two valves. Before I pass on them, I thought I would ask what your thoughts are on the repair. Pics attached. Thanks.

[b-man]

My thoughts are why settle for a set of heads that were once cracked and welded on when there are plenty still out there that haven't been cracked and then repaired.

If they were a rare performance head then I'd be more willing to accept that, but for a common set of D-port heads I'd pass.

I saw was a set of RAIV heads for sale, seller disclosed one had been cracked and repaired with weld and even after dropping the price by a grand I still didn't anyone having much interest in them.

If they've been pressure tested and the price is right they're probably fine. That looks like a RAII or RAIV combustion chamber.

[STEELCITYFIREBIRD]

Move on, a repair that long indicates they got pretty darn hot. Was it disclosed or you had to find it yourself? Also they look to have been in service since the repair because they don't look to have a fresh mill.

[KJL]

Yes B Man they are 614's. That's why I'm interested in them.
steelCityFirebird they were not disclosed as being repaired. The seller, I believe, was not aware and has been forthcoming with information on the heads.
Other than this issue they appear to be decent heads. I don't want to purchase a problem in the future.

[77 TRASHCAN]

Welding cast iron is a do-able deal, but not that crack on that head.

Any repaired crack that has fluid on opposite side, is highly likely not to hold.

If you weld iron for structural purposes, like the possibly the exhaust flange surface,
That's a do-able repair.
Repairing cast iron is tricky at best.

[61-63]

That head appears to have been pinned, not welded. Either way if done by someone who knows what they were doing the head would be fine.

Google "pinned crack block" and read up on what was done to that head. Or here is a link which describes it

http://www.enginebuildermag.com/2015...d-head-repair/

[mgarblik]

If you really feel that pair of heads is what you "have to own", I would see if the seller would allow you to return them if they leak. Then, I would get the heads and have them pressure tested. If they pass a pressure test @ 22-25 lbs. , They should be fine. If they have any tiny "fizzer" leaks, they can be repaired with a ceramic sealer applied inside the water jackets. For best success, this usually requires thermal cleaning of the castings and then ceramic sealer and a curing process. Good success rate if the leaks are tiny. Pressure test 2 heads, $ 75.00-100.00. Clean and ceramic seal 2 heads, $400.00 or so. It's a gamble, but if you have to save those heads, that would be my approach.

[GRX]

May just be the lighting. Looks to me like there is no repair insert and the crack repair extends across the stock seat itself. If so I would not trust it no matter what method was used. Variations in the metal will eventually cause distortion.

[steve25]

That head was not fully pinned, it was heated in the crack area and welded to some extent, then both intake and Exh seats where installed.
Since the whole head was not Preheated to a dull red before welding it's a failure in waiting, how long no one can say!
If the head would have been fully pinned and had the crack ground out as it should be at both ends I would trust the pinned repair 100% over a local heat and weld job!

If I was to take the chance on running the head I would beat the crap out of the motor in terms of heat up and cool down cycles for about 2K miles and then pull that head and check to see if cracks are starting again !

Also since seats where installed ( atleast in that one cylinder ) I would bet that the flow numbers are pretty far down from stock unless a real good bowl bend job was done.

Do the rest of the chambers have seats installed?

[Skip Fix]

Indy Cylinder head does pretty good cast iron repair. I believe Steve C. had his Goodale ported head repaired there

[tiacguy]

I'ts funny how everybody is a skeptic on welding cast iron. Wake up people its been done for years. From engine blocks,cylinder heads and everything in between. At my job they had a company come in and weld a extrusion press bulk head weigh in at 60 tons in place. It cracked about 3 feet across they v-grooved out the crack which was 6" thick. heated the piece with giant heat blankets and a team of welders welded around the clock for two days to repair it. This piece supports 6 thousand tons per square inch across the bulk head. This was a few years ago and its still in service. This press runs 24/7. They recently had a high pressure water jacket welded that cracked 8' it too was 6" thick same procedure.

[Steve C.]

Yes, Indy Cylinder Head (Indianapolis, In) is well know for repair work. Very busy, probably won't get them back quick though.
Paul Knippen now owns my old Goodale/McCarthy race ported #16 heads.


.

[tom s]

A friend had Indy repair a 980 SD head that had a valve take out the CC.They made it like new.I had them repair a pair of RAVs that leaked water at the center lower head bolts.Came back perfect.Not cheap or fast.Tom

[steve25]

So do these extrusion presses go thru the expansion and contract that a cast iron head will go through ?

[tiacguy]

If your interested you can see what happens through a cycle. I don't know how to post the link but this is what I do. I'm in the very start of this video removing the tool cap with the hoist. Go to Youtube and search Sapa Cressona Indirect Press 14

[mgarblik]

X3 on Indy cylinder heads. When I have something that is so badly hurt my #1 through #5 best choices can't fix, I put on my big boy pants and drive the heads over to Indy Cylinder Heads. The exchange starts out with Russ Fluger, the owner looking over the job and complaining about how he can't understand why ANYBODY would waste time and money on a Pontiac boat anchor. Then he flips the head over and throws out a crazy price hoping you will pick it up and go away. When you say, OK go ahead and repair it he again gives you a look like you are a complete idiot and need to sell all your stuff and switch to Mopar. Then a month later they call and say it's done. The work is perfect every time. That's why I put up with them. Excellent cast iron and aluminum repairs.

[KJL]

Thanks for everyone's comments. I decided to pass on the heads. Even though it looks like the heads were run with the repair, I just don't want to chance issues down the road.

[STEELCITYFIREBIRD]

I think you made a wise choice.

If you don't mind.....How much did they want for them?
Not that I want them, just to compare price to non patched, similar heads.

[KJL]

Asking price was $2,900. We never got to an agreed price.
These were not a "must have" but rather "would be nice to have" heads.

[steve25]

For that price tell that guy to run them on one of his motors for about 3000 miles and then if they do not fail buy them from him, lol!