[SEL] Fairbanks Morse ZD Cracked Block - Best Way to Repair

[FRM8198 at aol.com]

Hi List,
I finally got around to finish disassembling the Fairbanks Morse ZD  (2 HP) 
that I purchased at the Paso Robles Swap Meet.  I was able to  remove the stuck 
piston using the BFH method after it had been soaking with ATF  fluid for 
several weeks.  After cleaning the area around the head area, I  found a vertical 
crack of about 6" long on the left side of block going into the  water 
hopper.  Has anyone successfully repaired a  crack of this nature?  If so, what was 
the  approach?  I did a search on Google and found several  different cast 
iron welding rods that are available.  In addition, there  are also brazing and 
silver soldering methods mentioned.  I was thinking of  using a piece of 12 
gauge flat stainless steel plate (1" x 7"),  attaching  it with screws (about ¼" 
from the edges), and sealing it with JB Weld.   Does anyone have any comments 
about this proposed method?
I was able to pick up another Fairbanks Morse ZD (1½ HP) block  from a EDGE & 
TA member.  It too had a similar crack in about the same  area.  Is this a 
common crack area for this engine?
 
 
Francis  Maciel
514 E. Taft Street
Santa Maria, CA  93454