Cylinder Head Welding - has anyone had success with it?

[tonytoller]

I've been told that my 1992 Volvo KAD42 head is cracked and I'm looking at the options. Quite a few companies offer welding services. Has anyone had experience of this and its effectiveness? Alternatively does anyone have a good head for sale?

 

[rafiki_]

I only have experience on the automotive side, and it really depends on where the weld will be sited. Any weld will downgrade the material spec, but would be OK for a water gallery or cosmetic, but not anywhere near the combustion chamber or cam carrier.

 

[tinkicker0]

Anything can be welded and repaired, it just depends on who does it. I have had the complete combustion deck rebuilt once after I had a MAN D0834 motor in that had swallowed four valve heads. The head was built up with weld, ground back to check for voids, built up again. ground back; layer by layer, the ports reinstated, the valve seat sockets re machined and new valve seats fitted. Almost 2 years ago and likely 6000 hrs later it is still running. If it wasn't I'd have heard about it pretty quickly.

It depends on whether the repair is cost effective or not and how good your machine shop is. A new head would have been cheaper but was unobtainable within a reasonable time frame.

 

[Assassin]

Agreed, have welded up several heads and some cylinder blocks, the quality of weld depends upon many factors and the skill of the welder, get it right and its a cheap repair.

 

[Bandit]

One of the problems is when you weld you can warp the casting especially in a smaller lightweight head and especially in aluminium.

There must be a lot of KAD 42's that are scrapped but with good heads, I would try preferably new or second hand first before welding.

 

[Assassin]

Not if done correctly, this is the key.