The Ford Barn

46HARLEY · 11-17-2023, 07:25 AM

But the engine, not so much. My newly acquired A has a few cracks in the water jacket. Just below the water pump there are 3 cracks. Have done a lot of reading and I will clean the area, grind a bevel, and use JB weld. Because of the no pressure system, I will hope for the best. The body only has one small rust hole under the back seat. Truly amazing to me. Would love to hear from any one who has done this repair on water jacket. Thanks Harley

Bob Bidonde · 11-17-2023, 07:56 AM

First do a compression test on the motor to determine if there are internal cracks of concern. Do a thorough job of cleaning the metal at the external cracks before using JB Weld. Also, drill 0.12" stop holes at both ends of each crack. After the JB Weld cures, I recommend that you use a quality brand of stop leak in the coolant, perhaps one with a water pump lube in it. This fix should work. God luck.

ronn · 11-17-2023, 08:24 AM

as Bob says........

did my 1912 buick- tons of cracks about 10 yrs ago. still holding fine.
Mine was in way worser shape then yours!

Joe K · 11-17-2023, 09:55 AM

One of the advantages of a "non-pressure" cooling system.

Joe K

1930artdeco · 11-17-2023, 12:27 PM

We did that on my last engine after what was left of the water froze and cracked int he same place. JB Weld and was running for years after that.

Mike

46HARLEY · 11-17-2023, 02:01 PM

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While cleaning it up, found out not the first fix. Didn’t crack where they fixed it. Couldn’t really tell how they did it. Fingers crossed, it’s all patched backup. Wish this car could tell me it’s story. Somewhere someone really took care of and definitely someone didn’t.

eagle · 11-17-2023, 05:34 PM

I drilled ends, v'd crack, and JB welded a Model T head. The heads are easy enough to come by and replace so I did it mainly to give it a try. It worked and I believe still is working 12 years later. It was a NASTY crack, maybe 4 inches long and opened up enough that I peened it to tighten the crack.

gdmn852 · 11-17-2023, 06:18 PM

Burtz to the rescue! If the repair doesn’t work out.

Phil Brown · 11-18-2023, 01:26 PM

Seen it work really good and some times not so well, the crack area has to be REALLY CLEAN before the JB applacation

katy · 11-18-2023, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eagle

I drilled ends, v'd crack, and JB welded a Model T head. The heads are easy enough to come by and replace so I did it mainly to give it a try. It worked and I believe still is working 12 years later. It was a NASTY crack, maybe 4 inches long and opened up enough that I peened it to tighten the crack.

Was that a freeze crack on top of the head? I've head of them being soldered and lasting for years.

46HARLEY · 11-18-2023, 07:54 PM

It is a freeze crack to the best of my knowledge. I repaired it with JB weld. The repair looks great. It will be a little while before I know how well it went.

46HARLEY · 11-19-2023, 02:45 PM

Put everything together, got it to temp. Success for now, on to the water pump.

11-17-2023, 07:25 AM	#1
46HARLEY Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: NY Posts: 54	She’s got a great body, but. But the engine, not so much. My newly acquired A has a few cracks in the water jacket. Just below the water pump there are 3 cracks. Have done a lot of reading and I will clean the area, grind a bevel, and use JB weld. Because of the no pressure system, I will hope for the best. The body only has one small rust hole under the back seat. Truly amazing to me. Would love to hear from any one who has done this repair on water jacket. Thanks Harley

11-17-2023, 07:56 AM	#2
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,472	Re: She’s got a great body, but. First do a compression test on the motor to determine if there are internal cracks of concern. Do a thorough job of cleaning the metal at the external cracks before using JB Weld. Also, drill 0.12" stop holes at both ends of each crack. After the JB Weld cures, I recommend that you use a quality brand of stop leak in the coolant, perhaps one with a water pump lube in it. This fix should work. God luck. __________________ Bob Bidonde Last edited by Bob Bidonde; 11-17-2023 at 09:31 AM.

11-17-2023, 08:24 AM	#3
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,791	Re: She’s got a great body, but. as Bob says........ did my 1912 buick- tons of cracks about 10 yrs ago. still holding fine. Mine was in way worser shape then yours!

11-17-2023, 09:55 AM	#4
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,188	Re: She’s got a great body, but. One of the advantages of a "non-pressure" cooling system. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

11-17-2023, 12:27 PM	#5
1930artdeco Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lynden, Wa Posts: 3,552	Re: She’s got a great body, but. We did that on my last engine after what was left of the water froze and cracked int he same place. JB Weld and was running for years after that. Mike __________________ 1930 TownSedan (Briggs) 1957 Country Sedan

11-17-2023, 02:01 PM	#6
46HARLEY Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: NY Posts: 54	Re: She’s got a great body, but. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) While cleaning it up, found out not the first fix. Didn’t crack where they fixed it. Couldn’t really tell how they did it. Fingers crossed, it’s all patched backup. Wish this car could tell me it’s story. Somewhere someone really took care of and definitely someone didn’t.

11-17-2023, 05:34 PM	#7
eagle Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Eagle Bend, MN Posts: 2,025	Re: She’s got a great body, but. I drilled ends, v'd crack, and JB welded a Model T head. The heads are easy enough to come by and replace so I did it mainly to give it a try. It worked and I believe still is working 12 years later. It was a NASTY crack, maybe 4 inches long and opened up enough that I peened it to tighten the crack. __________________ "There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool."

11-17-2023, 06:18 PM	#8
gdmn852 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erie Pa Posts: 689	Re: She’s got a great body, but. Burtz to the rescue! If the repair doesn’t work out.

11-18-2023, 01:26 PM	#9
Phil Brown Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee Calif. Posts: 509	Re: She’s got a great body, but. Seen it work really good and some times not so well, the crack area has to be REALLY CLEAN before the JB applacation

11-19-2023, 02:45 PM	#12
46HARLEY Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: NY Posts: 54	Re: She’s got a great body, but. Put everything together, got it to temp. Success for now, on to the water pump.