Cracked cylinder head - Temporary fix?

JMed
JMed Expert Adviser
edited November -1 in HUDSON
Hello everyone.

I just noticed the cylinder head on my 46 hudson is cracked near the #6 cylinder just in front of the distributor (see picture). I know it needs to be replaced but I need to have the car ready for an event next Friday. The leak is very small and does not affect ingnition.

Is there anything I can do to fix this temporarily? The trip next friday will be about 35 to 40 miles.

I know this sounds bad, but I was hoping someone will know some trick to temporarily fix this. I don't think I have enough time to replace the head.

Thanks!

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Have you tried a stopleak like Barrsleak or Alumaseal? Norm
  • lostmind
    lostmind Expert Adviser
    I fixed a crack in the outside of cylinder
    on my 29 Hudson with epoxy.Is was a freze crack ,so it was in water jacket.
    Clean really good,use alcohal after wire wheel.
    I would recomend NAPA product that has the mixing cup.
    Mine was holding strong after 4 national meets
    and I sold the car that way.
    Good luck.
    Roy
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    edited October 2011
    First thing you got to do is clean the area of the crack really good to get an idea of just how big this crack is. Then stop drill each end of the crack to stop it from spreading any more. (If you're not familiar with the term stop drill it means drill a small hole at each end of the of the crack - doesn't have to be a big hole, 1/8" is enough.) That will stop the spread.

    Then cover the crack with something like plastic steel (see Roy's post above for another idea). That should hold you for your trip.

    Hudsonly,
    Alex Burr
    Memphis, TN
  • hudsontech
    hudsontech Senior Contributor
    hudsontech wrote:
    First thing you got to do is clean the area so you can get an idea of how long the crack is. Then stop drill each end of the crack to stop it from spreading any more. (If you're not familiar with the term stop drill it means drill a small hole at each end of the of the crack - doesn't have to be a big hole, 1/8" is enough. That will stop the spread.)

    Then cover the crack with something like plastic steel (see Roy's post above for another idea). That should hold you for your trip.

    Hudsonly,
    Alex Burr
    Memphis, TN
  • JMed
    JMed Expert Adviser
    Thanks for the advice. I haven't tried anything yet and wanted to ask before I did something that was a complete no no.

    To be on the safe side I will do both, treat the coolant and add something outside on the crack. So I just got back from my local Napa store and got a bottle of Barr's leak. But the epoxy they had was only good for 200 or 250 degrees. Does that round right? So instead I got some JB weld, the one with the 2 small tubes and it claims to hold up to 600 degrees.

    So, is JB Weld ok or is that the "big no no" I was afraid of? If JB Weld is not good I can go to other auto part stores in search for the correct epoxy.

    Thanks!
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    JB Weld is great for fixing a cracked block or head. We fixed two cracked blocks with that stuff. When applied make sure to use a heat lamp overnight on the area. Just make sure you v it out slightly before you put it on. Jim
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I am a little confussed by the photo. I don't see any real sign anything was leaking out of the crack. Does it leak or are you just thinking it will?
    Unless someone modified it that system is not pressureized . So is not as prone to leak as a stepdown Hudson.
    I hate to use stop leak unless its an emergency due to clogging of heater and rdiator core,
    Roger
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    Two products that work really well are Irontite, and Chemi-Weld. I don't know if they are available in your country, but they are water-treatment solutions that I have used in cracked head. I would not use Bars Leaks, this is more for radiator leaks, and tends to clog things up.
  • 54SuperWasp
    54SuperWasp Expert Adviser
    I suggest you get a look on that video about Rapid-Fix. My block on the 54 was leaking on the side, did repair it in a few minutes. I don't drive the car yet but had the motor turn for some time and no water came back. I think, at least for an emergency, it could do the job.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSmgEkbp5eM
    Michel
  • JMed
    JMed Expert Adviser
    @ Roger: The photo shows the crack perpendicular to the arrow but it may be a little difficult to see. I whiped the coolant off before taking the photo.

    Thanks to all for the advice!
  • JMed
    JMed Expert Adviser
    @ Roger: The photo shows the crack perpendicular to the arrow but it may be a little difficult to see. I cleaned the coolant off before taking the photo.

    Thanks to all for the advice!
  • RonS
    RonS Senior Contributor
    That Rapid Fix seems to be great stuff. Have you or anyone else tried it? Any opinions? Amazon got a couple of good reviews.
  • 54SuperWasp
    54SuperWasp Expert Adviser
    RonS wrote:
    That Rapid Fix seems to be great stuff. Have you or anyone else tried it? Any opinions? Amazon got a couple of good reviews.
    Hi Ron,I just found a picture of the repair I have done to my motor. It was a crack on the side of the motor where there is a 30 degrees or so curve on the driver's side. That motor had not been started in years. When i bought the car, it wouldn't turn. I put diesel in the cylenders right to the top. Finally, the motor was not stuck I think it was just the waterpump ( the carousel wheel inside) that was glued with rust on the block). I cleand that, change the oil and it started right up. After that I noticed the leak on the side. A guy gave me the Rapidfix, so I had nothing to loose. Easy to put on and it's done instantly. I just had to sand a little after. There is a picture of the crack and a video of my second attemp to start the car. Though there was a lot of fuel in the pipes, it smokes normaly ( october of last year). Will work on that car in about two months. California car, no rusty floor to work on. The undercarriage of that car is better than the exterior. Michel
    I hope the video will be visible here.
  • 54SuperWasp
    54SuperWasp Expert Adviser
    The video failed probably because it was around 3 minutes long. Sorry! Michel.
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