Well my water jackets went finally... so it has me wondering what are everyone's techniques to repairing their irons?

 

just for clarity, you're saying you pulled the engine apart and the water jacket(s) are broken?

if so, repairing it ... i don't know of any successful attempts to repair a broken side housing. i'm sure i've seen one or two attempts. the fix for a broken side housing is replacement as far as i know.

if you haven't pulled the engine apart, then it could simply be a broken water seal. you won't know for sure until disassembly though.

 

Yes, tore it open and it's missing a part of the channel. I have heard of welding repairs before and was looking for ideas.

 

well, it occurred to me that i don't keep tabs on everything, and your response made me research a little bit.

i found this:

 

That's a great video. I need to find the video of the process he put up or bug him to make one. He says he has yet to see one come back after 17yrs of it, I would have no problems having him fix my plates! Thanks for some info on this, it's good to know it's not the end of the motor!

 

Kevin from Rotary resurrection said something about having plates silicon bronze welded.

 

no problem.

yeah, Chips has definitely caught, and held, my attention. i haven't had any interactions with him yet, but i certainly look forward to it. i heard him say 15-17 years and i was like ... wow ... i'm not even 100% sure i was aware that the side housings broke like this 17 years ago. crazy ....

 

I was just informed on the Facebook groups about this. I was planning on contacting him this week about it as well. Rumor had it he can repair them for about 75 an iron. I'd love to see the results!

 

the man's got skills and I appreciate his services!

 

This was posted in a group I follow on facebook and it made me realize this information might be needed more often. To save the plates that could get thrown out if not known they could be saved. My intentions are to gather up all the places and information of ways people can salvage them.

 

There was a member selling a repair kit, it was a metal band that supported the seal if there was a small breakout (Rotary Revolution?). I think it was also sold by others. Brazing (the silico bronze braising mentioned above) would be my go to, nickel welding would be last. I would like to try this new low heat aluminum welding/solder type stuff, it might be the easiest for unskilled people.