Wildguzzi.com

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Don G on May 31, 2018, 09:53:49 AM

Title: porous casting repair
Post by: Don G on May 31, 2018, 09:53:49 AM
There is a casting flaw on my V700 crank case in the main oil journal of course, I noticed that the oil light would come on at hot idle and go out with an RPM increase, I figured that maybe a bad sender was the cause. I sourced a proper fitting and installed a test gauge, I have 10LBS pressure with cold 20-50, so I pulled the lump out and stripped the front cover and oil pan off. I blocked off the oil pick up drilling and induced oil pressure into the sender hole. I found that there was a mass leak behind the cam gear.
Now I wonder about a fix for this casting flaw, I am not even considering welding , perhaps an aluminum based epoxy would be the best, anyone with any practical experience out there?
(https://thumb.ibb.co/inY3nd/IMG_0145.jpg) (https://ibb.co/inY3nd)

(https://thumb.ibb.co/cJTB7d/IMG_0148.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cJTB7d)
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: John A on May 31, 2018, 10:07:12 AM
I'd look at drilling and tapping for a plug if that's suitable. Otherwise a Devcon or similar product if you can get the oil cleaned out of the pores by heating and a solvent like MEK followed by acid etching.
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: JoeW on May 31, 2018, 10:19:44 AM
I've repaired porous cases with JB weld BUT, that's a pressurized passage. Drilling and tapping could work, you'd have to at least pull the front main and oil pump to make sure you get all the filings out. That hole looks pretty big, who knows how big the fissure really is. I would think the best repair would be welding.
I have a spare v700 case number #1885.
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: Zoom Zoom on May 31, 2018, 10:26:37 AM
Looking at the first pic, and noticing the small pin holes around the big hole, I would be concerned about any repair. The entire area looks thin. I could just see a repair failing and then you are back to where you started or worse.

Have you considered submitting these pictures to a dealer just in case Guzzi is willing to cover this. There is no doubt this is a casting flaw. It can't hurt to ask.

John Henry
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: John A on May 31, 2018, 10:28:56 AM
I would personally not weld because I'd be worried about distorting it. Maybe a welder can give a better estimation. You could just call Rodekyll and buy a good block. After looking at the pictures closer, I'd clean it, heat it, clean it, etch it and seal it.
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on May 31, 2018, 10:34:30 AM
Looking at the first pic, and noticing the small pin holes around the big hole, I would be concerned about any repair. The entire area looks thin. I could just see a repair failing and then you are back to where you started or worse.

Have you considered submitting these pictures to a dealer just in case Guzzi is willing to cover this. There is no doubt this is a casting flaw. It can't hurt to ask.

John Henry

I would think that the warranty has long ago lapsed on a V700.  :laugh:

I will be parting out a '67 V700, so if a replacement case is needed, I'll have one.
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: Zoom Zoom on May 31, 2018, 10:42:06 AM
Well yeah. I was thinking it may be a modern V7(00)

It it is as you suggest Charlie, I personally would go looking for another block and be done with it.

John Henry
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: Kiwi_Roy on May 31, 2018, 10:54:19 AM
https://thumb.ibb.co/inY3nd/IMG_0145.jpg[/img][/url]

(https://thumb.ibb.co/cJTB7d/IMG_0148.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cJTB7d)

It appears the oil way goes from the center of the upper shaft to the center of the lower one, this would have been drilled after casting.
Could you strip it down and drill the oil way larger and then insert a sleeve? I'm thinking something like the thin walled steel tubing used for brake lines.

I would try stuffing something in the hole first, it doesn't have to be perfectly oil tight, similar to the lead plugs you see in carburetors.
It looks as though the flaw would be at the back of the oil-way, it might be safe to drill it without having to pull it all apart. The rougher the better if you want to try epoxy.

Really, how many years has this motor been running in this condition, it's no big deal to run low pressure at idle. My Eldorado will drop below 10 psi when it's really hot, idles below 800 at a guess back at 60 when moving.

BTW, none of my earlier Guzzis had a reliable oil pressure switch, I put a gauge on.
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: AJ Huff on May 31, 2018, 11:01:25 AM
 that's a scrap casting. Should never have made it past QC. No real fix. Sorry.

-AJ
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: Don G on May 31, 2018, 11:23:01 AM
Yup, a new case is in my future, it looks pretty thin, that's why I didn't want to weld the hole closed, if it was cast Iron I wouldn't hesitate to braze it shut but aluminum is a different story, could be a disaster. I wonder if this has leaked from day one? I was road testing this engine after a complete overhaul and was wondering why it seemed to run hot, timing was on and had new springs in the distributor and jetting was correct, now I know why! I may take the case into the local Tig welder and get an opinion, but I think I may be contacting the chaps with the spare cases on offer, thanks guys!  DonG
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: RinkRat II on May 31, 2018, 11:29:54 AM
 I agree with Kiwi Roy, if it's accesible to drill and sleeve that would be the most permanent fix. After you talk to your welder, talk to a machine shop and see.

   Paul B :boozing:
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: Wayne Orwig on May 31, 2018, 12:28:28 PM
Drill it. Thread it. Loctite a tiny grub screw in it.
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: Perazzimx14 on May 31, 2018, 01:12:34 PM
Yup, a new case is in my future, it looks pretty thin, that's why I didn't want to weld the hole closed, if it was cast Iron I wouldn't hesitate to braze it shut but aluminum is a different story, could be a disaster. I wonder if this has leaked from day one? I was road testing this engine after a complete overhaul and was wondering why it seemed to run hot, timing was on and had new springs in the distributor and jetting was correct, now I know why! I may take the case into the local Tig welder and get an opinion, but I think I may be contacting the chaps with the spare cases on offer, thanks guys!  DonG

Since the block is no good as is you can't ruin it further by try to repair it.
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: Rough Edge racing on May 31, 2018, 01:33:38 PM
 Hmmm, that does look cheesy when the photo is enlarged.... If possible, my hillbilly repair would be a small patch from aluminum sheet metal formed to fit with a few perimeter screws...And a high quality epoxy as a sealer between patch and casting...
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: larrys on May 31, 2018, 02:25:04 PM
I have an Ambassador block that I would let go, would that work?
Larry
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: Kiwi_Roy on May 31, 2018, 02:40:31 PM
The problem with changing the block is the engine No will no longer match the frame.
Assuming it did anyway.
My loop has the same No
What's the mileage on the odo?
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: Don G on May 31, 2018, 03:04:28 PM
Yeah the frame and engine #'s match on this one, I have another 68 model and they also match, one other one that I have does not.  DonG
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on May 31, 2018, 03:06:11 PM
The problem with changing the block is the engine No will no longer match the frame.
Assuming it did anyway.
My loop has the same No
What's the mileage on the odo?

V700 numbers rarely match from the factory, so it wouldn't be a big deal. The '67 I'm parting out has engine number 1566 and frame number 1433. Ambassadors and Eldorados almost always do.
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on May 31, 2018, 03:12:22 PM
Yeah the frame and engine #'s match on this one, I have another 68 model and they also match, one other one that I have does not.  DonG

I wouldn't be afraid to weld it. The problem will be getting the casting clean enough to weld. That means a tear down, I'm afraid..
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: Toecutter on May 31, 2018, 03:21:31 PM
Why aren't you thinking of welding? Seems like the most logical choice.
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: JoeW on May 31, 2018, 03:42:33 PM

(https://thumb.ibb.co/fGknhd/V700_case.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fGknhd)

That passage is accessible through the port from the bridge pipe. That is an 8mm hole, the leaking passage is 5 mm. A skilled machinist could open it up to accept a sleeve. I would not drill all the way to the cam bearing surface so the sleeve has an upper stop. Just an idea.
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: Kiwi_Roy on May 31, 2018, 04:08:58 PM

(https://thumb.ibb.co/fGknhd/V700_case.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fGknhd)

That passage is accessible through the port from the bridge pipe. That is an 8mm hole, the leaking passage is 5 mm. A skilled machinist could open it up to accept a sleeve. I would not drill all the way to the cam bearing surface so the sleeve has an upper stop. Just an idea.

"Sure, bring it on over, I'll take a look"
(https://image.ibb.co/cOzt6b/Bike_Mechanic.jpg)
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on May 31, 2018, 04:10:07 PM

(https://thumb.ibb.co/fGknhd/V700_case.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fGknhd)

That passage is accessible through the port from the bridge pipe. That is an 8mm hole, the leaking passage is 5 mm. A skilled machinist could open it up to accept a sleeve. I would not drill all the way to the cam bearing surface so the sleeve has an upper stop. Just an idea.

 :thumb:
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: Don G on May 31, 2018, 04:51:37 PM
Good plan Kiwi & Joe, I will scope it out tonight, just have to find some tubing..... DonG :thumb:
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: Kiwi_Roy on May 31, 2018, 05:35:17 PM
Thin walled steel brake lines is what I used on my Eldo, the car parts places usually have short pre-made lengths, just drill out with a pistol drill to suit, I don't believe the 5mm is critical, 1/4" OD perhaps.
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: JoeW on May 31, 2018, 05:46:21 PM
Mcmaster Carr part number 9811T13  8 mm OD 5 mm ID seamless stainless tubing. .5m is $56.00
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: canuck750 on May 31, 2018, 06:00:49 PM
Hi Don

I have a set of alpha numerical stamps and the star stamps as well to replicate the factory engine stamps, not that I am encouraging any fakery but it is a Loop motor after all and not something as rare as a V7 Sport or Le Mans. If you get a replacement block bring it over and we make it into a matching numbers block :azn:
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: AJ Huff on May 31, 2018, 06:29:25 PM
Look the whole casting over. That's a shrinkage defect. That heavy section was feeding the thinner section and there wasn't enough metal at the end of solidification to keep the heavy section full. You might want to make sure you don't have any more where you have a heavy section to thin section intersection, same side of the casting.

-AJ
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: JoeW on May 31, 2018, 08:07:25 PM
I had a persistent oil leak on an Ambo recently. It wasn't a pressure leak just gravity. I found it with baby powder. And fixed it with JB Weld.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180601/a5f81c04a2e6cb8c44937f509470665a.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180601/7868a1a0868acff46ba227624f179c06.jpg)

Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: JoeW on May 31, 2018, 08:32:33 PM
Thin walled steel brake lines is what I used on my Eldo, the car parts places usually have short pre-made lengths, just drill out with a pistol drill to suit, I don't believe the 5mm is critical, 1/4" OD perhaps.
I disagree, this passage feeds the front cam bearing and the rockers. I would try to be as precise as possible. 8 mm is .3150" 5/16 is .3125 that would be a decent interference fit. I would prefer doing it in a mill or a good drill press at the very least.

Sent from my QTASUN1 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: Rough Edge racing on June 01, 2018, 05:46:02 AM
I disagree, this passage feeds the front cam bearing and the rockers. I would try to be as precise as possible. 8 mm is .3150" 5/16 is .3125 that would be a decent interference fit. I would prefer doing it in a mill or a good drill press at the very least.

Sent from my QTASUN1 using Tapatalk

  From my vast experience with using hand held drills, it will be difficult to get a round straight hole that will allow the tube to be pressed in properly..And you only have one shot at doing it correctly...I don't have good luck with odd jobs at machines shops. Their time is expensive and and they don't do what I want them to do...So....I would do it myself with a hand held drill and get a light press fit and use an anaerobic sealer or epoxy on the tube...A couple of drills and a short length of gas line tubing is pocket change...
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on June 01, 2018, 06:36:31 AM
I disagree, this passage feeds the front cam bearing and the rockers. I would try to be as precise as possible. 8 mm is .3150" 5/16 is .3125 that would be a decent interference fit. I would prefer doing it in a mill or a good drill press at the very least.

Sent from my QTASUN1 using Tapatalk

Agreed on all points. Drill it 1/64" undersize and ream 5/16." You'll only get one shot at it, so make sure the tubing is straight, and maybe polish a thousanth or so off of it. Freeze the tube, warm the case, and tap it in.
Title: Re: porous casting repair
Post by: John A on June 01, 2018, 08:31:45 AM
That should be a fine repair and if it goes sideways get another block. How are the cam bearings? If it's had chrome cylinders that shed chrome, it gets imbedded in the cam journals that can't be gotten out. It's hard and chews on the cam journals.You need a magnifier and strong light. I use a sharp three corner scraper to get out the big chunks and let the rest be. I'd take that into consideration for a different block.