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Thread: Fixing Cracked Pinto Block

  1. #1
    Mechanic Matt75's Avatar

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    Fixing Cracked Pinto Block

    Hey Guys,

    I'm gutted. My car slipped off the jack and it has caught the edge of the sump and has smashed the side of the block taking a large chip off it.

    Can this be repaired (JB Weld or similar) or am I better off doing a new block?

    I'ts a race car so I'd rather do it properly.

    Cheers,

    Matt




  2. #2
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User para144's Avatar

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    Re: Fixing Cracked Pinto Block

    If you have a scrap block you could have a patch cold metal stitched in. Its not too expensive

    A dying art but very effective & uses no heat.

    This guy fixed a block for me while I waited, stitched in a section the size of a jar lid on a rally pinto. Saved the block.
    It was a 5 hour round trip for me but well worth it & didn't even need to be a bare block. Can also ship it on a pallet of course.

    http://stitchweld.co.uk/
    Last edited by para144; 23-04-2019 at 08:24.

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    Re: Fixing Cracked Pinto Block

    JB weld may hold the piece in place for a while but it won't last. CI can be welded / brazed but not simple / easy and done wrong will be as fragile as JB Weld! ^^^ Stitching worth a look though. Does it / is it leaking? if no and doesn't look like it will - i'd leave it!

  4. #4
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    Re: Fixing Cracked Pinto Block

    its a ball ache changing a block, but it would be even worse if you trailer teh car for miles, entered an event then suffered a DNF due to it chucking oil out everywhere

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    Mechanic Matt75's Avatar

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    Re: Fixing Cracked Pinto Block

    That's what I'm thinking too Graham.

    I think a new block is needed for piece of mind too

  6. #6
    Pit Crew Decade Plus User para144's Avatar

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    Re: Fixing Cracked Pinto Block

    Quote Originally Posted by Matt75 View Post
    That's what I'm thinking too Graham.

    I think a new block is needed for piece of mind too

    Cold metal stitching has been used on everything from historic f1 engines to ship engines. He was repairing some historic racing engines & a massive diesel engine out of a train when I was there!

    The repair that I had carried out to my Pinto block is a few years old now & the motor is revved to 8000rpm in the tarmac championship. photos here: http://www.turbosport.co.uk/showthre...etal+stitching
    Last edited by para144; 23-04-2019 at 12:48.

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    Re: Fixing Cracked Pinto Block

    Quote Originally Posted by para144 View Post
    Cold metal stitching has been used on everything from historic f1 engines to ship engines. He was repairing some historic racing engines & a massive diesel engine out of a train when I was there!

    The repair that I had carried out to my Pinto block is a few years old now & the motor is revved to 8000rpm in the tarmac championship. photos here: http://www.turbosport.co.uk/showthre...etal+stitching
    i dont doubt any of that, but i would consider it better to stitch a round section of a casting than thin edge.

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  9. #8
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    Re: Fixing Cracked Pinto Block

    Quote Originally Posted by Graham View Post
    i dont doubt any of that, but i would consider it better to stitch a round section of a casting than thin edge.
    Probably cut it out a bit further than the current damage & stitch in a new section from a scrap pinto block.
    Might be worth Matt75 emailing him a photo for his opinion.

    The repair I had done was £150 incl VAT, the 'stitchweld' bloke is considered one of the best in the business. He did it same day while I went off for lunch & a bit of shopping.

    Be advised that another firm nearby quoted me £772 + VAT + transport with a 4 week repair time (shorter if I paid more)!
    Last edited by para144; 23-04-2019 at 18:21.

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    Re: Fixing Cracked Pinto Block

    Quote Originally Posted by Graham View Post
    its a ball ache changing a block, but it would be even worse if you trailer teh car for miles, entered an event then suffered a DNF due to it chucking oil out everywhere
    I haven't got much to contribute, but what Graham said has happened to me so I'd def get a new block - machining and swapping everything over is a hassle, but so is messing about trying to make a successful repair on a CI block!

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  13. #10
    Spanner Monkey

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    Re: Fixing Cracked Pinto Block

    Hi Matt remove sump clean area up grind it flat at corners and on block and fit a block of metal you mite be able to drill and tap two bolts to block and use the to studs for sump then use three bond sealant to seal it up cheers mario

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