Crack Head, Looking for some advice....... Options

[Jake Raby]

You can TIG up those cracks... Use more argon and a #5 tip... The crack has to be drilled completely away first though..

[John]

They crack going away from the seat in the exhaust port. I have also seen them crack in the short turn radius.

Well then I may be in luck, as I can't find any evidence of any cracks. I even tried the wipe them down with solvent and blow off with compressed air trick and couldn't find any places where solvent would wick out of any cracks.

I've heard it's also a good idea to take a large file to the SS HE tubes. I used a black marker on the ends of the face of the tubes where they connect to the heads. Take the large file to BOTH tubes at the same time and slowly file them square to each other. When the black is all gone, they should be pretty square.

It may be that when I swapped heads way back that i temporarily solved the leaky heat exchanger to head. I spent a bunch of time back then filing the ends square (and square to each other). Perhaps over time the stainless has moved enough to cause another leak or they may have developed cracks at the ears.

In any event, it sounds like I will once again remove the heat ducts and heat exchanger from the drivers side and re-file the ends and check for any cracks (and re-TIG weld them) in the pipes near the ears.

Brad, since it sounds like you do many more of these than I do, what do you recommend as far as torque for the nuts holding the heat exchanger tubes to the heads? Also do you use copper lock nuts (or what fasteners do you use)?

[Brad Roberts]

I use 12mm copper nuts with M8 flat washers. When I install them I utilize a 1/4 drive ratchet and a 12mm swivel socket. The 1/4 inch drive shorty ratchet keeps me from over torquing them during the install. I set them after the initial install to 12ft lbs.

Jake,

I'll talk to them again.... for years and years now they tell us they cant (TechCraft) I literally have access to over 50 pairs of heads if not more that need to be repaired. Maybe they cant get in there to drill.. I have no idea.. they oculd be blowing smoke up my ass for all I know.


B