Cylinder Head welding

[J-Dogg]

i have a cracked cylinder head on my dirt bike and i was wondering if i would be able to weld it with a stick welder and how hard would it be

[HAWK]

J-DOGG,

I am not sure what material you are working with, but it sounds like cast aluminum. If so, take it to a reputable TIG guy. It will have to be beveled with a die grinder and carbide bit, drilled for reduced chances of re-cracking, cleaned, preheated to boil off oil and other impurities, and TIGGED with a high pulsed constricted arc if possible. STAY AWAY FROM A STICK!!! It will probably ruin your head.

Give CANUCK a shout here on the forum. He is in BC.

[HAWK]

J-DOGG,

You may be better off to purchase a new head??? Sometimes even a good TIG guy/gal can have problems with cast aluminum. Some alloys just won't weld well. Let us know what you decide and how it turns out.

[wrench3047]

most motorcycle heads aren't worth the work it takes to fix. By the time it's welded(if) reinstall, the likelyhood of failure is really high. most likely with the small cycle heads you end up replacing it anyway.

[Canuck]

Hi J-dogg, I would have to agree with everyone else but if there is any thing I can do Let me know. Where are you in the lower mainland or are you elsewhere?

[J-Dogg]

i am thinking that it is cast iron the reason that i don't to buy a new head is that i don't really want to spend money on it it is an old kawasakilike 80s


Canuck i am in victoria

[Canuck]

J-dogg to bad you are all the way across the water or we could get otgether on this. If it is cast Iron then I would try ni55 rod with stick. Just make sure it is cast iron before you wled it.