My son's 1911 differential has some cracks between the rivet holes,and needs some repair. Anyone know a good shop that does this?
I have had good luck at brazing those area, but when it comes to a block that is a whole different animal.
Is Jack Zerkel still welding cast iron?
I had a couple of rare cylinder heads welded by Midwest Cylinder Head Service in Iowa. they did an excellent job and guarantee their work, but they don't do work, cheap. Another T guy had a 1913 block and I referred him to them. He said they did fine work and he was impressed with their shop and thanked me for referring them to him. They heat the block or head or whatever to a cherry red in a forge and weld it while its hot. Then they check all machined surfaces for any warping and remachine if necessary.
Jack,
If you mean the differential housing, it's probably not cast iron. Most likely cast steel or malleable iron. Either of those should be easier to weld or braze than cast iron. I had good results having one brazed, not so good having it welded however.
Jack, my 1912 diff had the same problem. After I had it welded, it needed truing up, as it had warped out of shape. I had to make up a spiggot to hold the castings so I could turn them in the lathe.The two faces where they bolt together needed a light cut on each, and the face on which the thrust discs are held also need truing up.
Then I reversed the spiggot and cleaned up the outside faces where the diff tubes fit. With Loctite flange sealant used on re-assembly, it hasn't leaked in 18 years of mainly hard city driving.
Hope this helps.
Allan from down under.
Try Crow Custom Cast Welding in Hudson, Wisconsin. They repaired the cracked head on my 04 CDO several years ago and did an excellent job. Highly recommend them.
Indy Cylinder Head service does cast iron welding and repair. They recently repaired a 427 Ford block for a friend of mine. Worked great, nice quality repair. Not too expensive. They are right down the road from you Jack.
317-862-3724
Thanks to everyone.