[SEL] Opinions Please

[jlb94 at juno.com]

Hi List,

I've been putzing with a little Briggs WI with a cast iron base.
I originally bought this engine for parts but after getting it running,
decided to go another direction.

The base is cracked and leaks oil.  It has been repaired with epoxy (JB
Weld).
I chipped the epoxy off and cleaned it up and soldered the break.  This
worked okay except it still leaked around 2 bolt holes.  

I took it apart - heated the solder off and decided to braze the cracks.
I cannot braze the crack shut because of the epoxy still in the crack
preventing me from "bridging" the crack and cannot get it cleaned out
enough.

I am about to re-epoxy (JB Weld) it on the outside and use a gas tank
sealer on the inside.  

I would like to weld or braze rather than epoxy it.

While heating, I see that the crack extends almost to a complete circle.
The idea of breaking out the circle - cleaning it up and then attempting
to braze it back into place has crossed my mind.  I also feel the engine
ain't worth all this trouble.

Anyone care to advise ?

Joe "Pip" Betz said that. 
jlb94 at juno.com
 ,-._,-.          "God made man at the end of the week -
 \/)"(\/          when He was tired."
 (_o_)          http://community.webshots.com/user/pipbetz