Joe, my brother is a certified welder. He has welded a lot of aluminum objects over the years for different people including VW cases, aluminum heads and such for engine shops. He usually takes a rosebud head torch and heats the entire piece up to a very hot temp before welding so it can all cool down together after welding instead of a single hot spot. Just food for thought. Larry H.
"Joseph H. Horton" <joe.kr2s.buil...@juno.com> wrote: Guys, Thanks to everyone that expressed an opinion on the direction I should move for the cracked block. The decision is to try welding and move on from there when I see how it turns out. I will steel plate the mating surfaces to keep them in shape, and V'ing out the crack was planned on doing with several passes of weld. Putting cold packs on one side is something thati have to research a little to see for myself if it is something I can do and control the results. ??? humh