crack in block?

[Tfrank59]

Nice looking job and a great price!  I was wondering about the pull direction of the weld--good thinking on his part to run it as he did.  Also nice that you didn't need anything special with the threads, eh?  just screw the thing in there and ride!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Well I had the crack repaired today and no sign of any leaks. The welder started at the top of the crack and worked his way down. He said doing this actually pulled the crack tighter as he made his way to the drain plug. He thought overall it went very well. The porous block casting with air pockets created holes he had to fill along the way. I put the bike back together and took it out for a test  ridewith no signs of leaks. The weld is a little bulky but I am thrilled. He asked for $45, I gladly gave him $60. Very glad to be back on the road again, at least after tomorrows snow storm.

Man that worked out awesome ! I had my doubts. I think it looks fine.  

[gordonv]

My concern was you could clean it all you wanted to, but there is still oil inside the block leaking out. I figure the heat of the weld keep new oil away.

Did you need to do anything with the thread, or just screw in the plug again?

I would keep the big weld like it is, but if you want, you could always grind it flush to the block to make it look pretty again.

[Hook#3287]

Wow, nice job

Cheap too

I'd leave it alone, just look at it to remind me to be easy with the wrench.

[pancho]

Wow, that guy knows his craft........   looks great    ......

"The porous block casting with air pockets created holes he had to fill along the way."  just that would have lesser welders puckering up if it was someone elses bike.  

Great outcome Dan,, I bet   you feel better now

[Tfrank59]

"...if you want, you could always grind it flush to the block to make it look pretty again."
[/quote]

I think it would be best just to leave that alone, and hope that there's no porosity for oil to seep through and that there wouldn't be any further problems. As for the cosmetics, well it is what it is.

[ValkISDan]

My concern was you could clean it all you wanted to, but there is still oil inside the block leaking out. I figure the heat of the weld keep new oil away.

Did you need to do anything with the thread, or just screw in the plug again?

I would keep the big weld like it is, but if you want, you could always grind it flush to the block to make it look pretty again.

The welding was done with the drain plug installed so no work would be needed after he finished. The weld actually filled flush to the crush washer surface so you couldn't see the crack with the plug out. I will eventually break out a dremel tool and do some minor touch up.

[Chrisj CMA]

My concern was you could clean it all you wanted to, but there is still oil inside the block leaking out. I figure the heat of the weld keep new oil away.

Did you need to do anything with the thread, or just screw in the plug again?

I would keep the big weld like it is, but if you want, you could always grind it flush to the block to make it look pretty again.

The welding was done with the drain plug installed so no work would be needed after he finished. The weld actually filled flush to the crush washer surface so you couldn't see the crack with the plug out. I will eventually break out a dremel tool and do some minor touch up.

Glad it worked.  If all is well, I would leave it.  No one is going to see it, 

[Valkorado]

   Looks good.

[Tfrank59]

As far as using a Dremel and dressing up the appearance – I wouldn't do it just because you could open up a path for oil seepage, since the welder was fighting porosity as he welded. I think you're better off not touching anything at this point.  Oil could start seeping out at some point, especially in the summer months when things get really hot, so the jury is still out on this repair and you're better off just waiting and keeping an eye on it IMO.

[pancho]

The repair is great and will never give a problem again, leave it alone Dan.

[The emperor has no clothes]

The repair is great and will never give a problem again, leave it alone Dan.

+1  you already dodged one bullet. No sense reloading the gun. It looks fine 

[Firefighter]

What did you take apart? Did you lay the bike on its side? Looks great to me! I would order a new oil drain bolt and seal for the next time.

[Willow]

The lesson to be learned here involves not overusing the crush washer.  The book says a new one every time.  I tend to cheat on that a few but be sure there's still aluminum to be crushed.

Fortunately I learned that lesson on a Magna and not on my Valkyrie.

[ValkISDan]

You guys are right I probably won't touch this anymore. From two feet away you couldn't tell its been repaired. Thanks for all the help and support as usual. 

[Tfrank59]

Way to go. And let us know if something does go south on the repair. Ride safe.

[Savago]

+1 to leave it alone.

Savago

[Tfrank59]

"Very glad to be back on the road again, at least after tomorrows snow storm."

Dan, saw the forecast for MN tomorrow--sucks!  Guess you won't be checking out this repair for a few days...weeks

[peter]

Good work - you dodged a bullet there, or a cannon ball.

[bohica66]

I put a fumoto valve on a 6.7 cummins after finding out what happens when you pull the drain plug on 3 gallons of black sooty oil. That used diesel oil is really hard to clean up and any clothing it gets on is ruined. The fumoto valve is brass and opens with a small spring loaded handle which I drilled a small hole in and safety wired, just in case some brush might be able to move it, which is highly doubtful, or somebody might see it and open it. Safety wire won't stop someone, but might deter them. No more messing with crush washers or drain plugs.

[97BLKVALK]

Looks great and a good price.

Happy Easter!

Michael

[98valk]

I put a fumoto valve on a 6.7 cummins after finding out what happens when you pull the drain plug on 3 gallons of black sooty oil. That used diesel oil is really hard to clean up and any clothing it gets on is ruined. The fumoto valve is brass and opens with a small spring loaded handle which I drilled a small hole in and safety wired, just in case some brush might be able to move it, which is highly doubtful, or somebody might see it and open it. Safety wire won't stop someone, but might deter them. No more messing with crush washers or drain plugs.

Have on my 7.3 PowerStroke.  used a small hose clamp over the end, to prevent unauthorized opening.

[Scottrtho]

Here is another solution to changing your oil without having to remove the drain plug. Very popular among car Geeks here in California. They work great. Hold about 6 or 7 quarts.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_390306_390306?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Fuel%20Transfer%20%2B%20Lubrication%20%3E%20Oil%20Extractors&utm_campaign=LiquiVac&utm_content=33226&gclid=CjwKEAjwlq24BRDMjdK7g8mD6BASJABBl8n3LKMmQOl0W4ekd3TQpWzpu9tVWm5LbMZ4mWtB7Ec5UhoCmcfw_wcB