A-block crack

[IDIBRONCO]

The 6.9 in my Bronco is an A-block. It has the typical external crack by the block heater. I need to get this fixed, but am not sure how to get it done. I thought the only way to fix it was by having tapered plugs installed. I talked to a friend today who says that you can have it welded, but a hole needs to be drilled past the end of the crack so it won't crack farther. Anyone have any opinions on which method might be better?

 

[turbo elk]

A good welder could weld it but it has to be clean, inside and out and they have to use the right kind of rod...
I had my father in law weld an exhaust manifold on my old blazer... lasted for 6 years that I had it after

 

[MUDKICKR]

first you find the crack, then at the end of the crack you drill a hole in it. you also drill a hole in it every inch til you get to the end of the crack. you grind a slot where the crack is and after that you put some dowel pins in the holes you drilled. then you take a nickel rod and weld up the crack. i was told by the last machine shop i worked at is you grind the slot on the crack half of the thickness of the block and lay a good weld in from there, no stitch weld, just a good ol straight weld.

 

[Jake_IN]

I've heard lock-n-stitch mentiond a few times here before. Seems pretty neat but never done anything with it myself.

Linky

 

[tanman_2006]

Lock n stitch hold the bottom ends of alot of 6.5's together. Good stuff.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Thanks everyone, but I'm going to take the easy way out. I got a deal on a complete truck with a 6.9 that I couldn't pass up. I'm going to buy it in a couple of weeks and put that engine in my Bronco. I'll still hold on to this one since I now know how to fix it.