Block Thrust Repair?

[SSGN]

I have found a Buick block all std/std however the crank thrust in the block is damaged. Can this be repaired and if so what options are recommended.
Thanks in advance for any ideas.

[Alan Roehrich]

There's not many options to add material back, welding, in any form, is difficult with cast iron, and prone to inducing cracking. There were once a couple of shops that specialized in welding and/or furnace brazing cast iron, but I haven't seen evidence of them being in business in at least a decade or two. The main one was High Speed Salvage.It's a lost/dying art. You'd also have to find someone good enough to remachine the block after. The heating process required for welding will also take the seasoning out of the block, it will be like a new green casting, which isn't good for performance use.

[Adger Smith]

There is a local driveshaft shop that does spray welding.
They use it on seal surfaces, yokes and slip yokes where swing bearings have failed.
I have had them do a few thrusts and then use my line bore and re cut the thrust. I have done it on a couple of Dart blocks, but mostly on industrial engines. I always hit the burnt thrust with my line bore thrust bit before welding to clean up the surface for the weld.
I have never ask about the process or the material they use, but I know it works well. You might go to some local welding supliers and ask if anyone in your area does that process of welding.

[BillK]

I wonder if it could be cut out and a spacer made similar to what a lot of the new engines use for thrust washers ? Use the spacer to take up the worn part. Of course I am saying this without seeing the block

Something like this:

[MAURICE BLENDHEIM]

I have used BELZONA 1111 (Super Metal) Epoxy on Industrial and Marine applications. I have used it on several Continental Engines where the thrust surface on the crankshaft is badly damaged, repaired damaged cylinder bores and Dynamometer water pump housings where there is nothing left (completely worn out) inside pump bodies and many other repairs. The product is strong, stable and simply amazing providing cost effective repairs and salvaging components no longer available. It is easy to work with for hand finishing or machine finishing.
For me personally it has been a game changer for Field Repairs where equipment downtime isn’t an option. It isn’t cheap, but once you have it, you will be able to fix almost anything.
I hope this can help you. MB

[Kevin Panzino]

I can second Belzona. Absolutely amazing product. Mind blowingly good.
We?ve used it on 10,000+ hp forced draft fan shafts, and 20,000 hp boiler feed pump shafts, along with countless other components at the power plant.

Kp

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Adger Smith

There is a local driveshaft shop that does spray welding.
They use it on seal surfaces, yokes and slip yokes where swing bearings have failed.
I have had them do a few thrusts and then use my line bore and re cut the thrust. I have done it on a couple of Dart blocks, but mostly on industrial engines. I always hit the burnt thrust with my line bore thrust bit before welding to clean up the surface for the weld.
I have never ask about the process or the material they use, but I know it works well. You might go to some local welding suppliers and ask if anyone in your area does that process of welding.

Adger has the best cure, right there, and honestly, it's worth driving to someone who's had real success, and knows the process. Thanks Adger, I hadn't thought about a smaller shop doing the spray process.

[Mike Taylor 3601]

I have straightened up the thrust surface of block and cap and fabricate a thicker thrust washer to fit and attach to block and cap with brass countersunk screws...

[SSGN]

Originally Posted by Mike Taylor 3601

I have straightened up the thrust surface of block and cap and fabricate a thicker thrust washer to fit and attach to block and cap with brass countersunk screws...

Mike thanks and this is what I am looking at. I am nervous of welding but that just my fears. Great group here and the input is very appreciated.
Thanks