Can you weld or epoxy a LO206 cracked block?

1

I bought my first used kart with an LO206. After putting it in the garage, the next morning I noticed a puddle of oil. It took me a while to figure out it’s from a hairline crack in the engine block. It is barely seeping out of the crack so I would like to try welding or JB welding it. Is that allowed by the rules? The rules say you cannot add or remove material from the block. Would this fail tech inspection?

IMG_2310
IMG_23101575×2100 152 KB

2

I don’t know the exact answer to your question but I have a few thoughts. Does your track tech or inspect karts every race day…especially to the point of checking the seals?

You could:

Do nothing but drain and change your oil every track day (store without oil in the case). The amount of oil you might lose on a race day is likely very small.

If you are racing more on the hobby end of things, your track may allow you to try a repair such as JB weld. Not sure about welding as this is cast aluminum and may cause more problems. I would think they would be more concerned with getting oil on the track so they may allow it.

Replace the short block - obviously the most expensive route but its fixed.

3

I think it would get noticed at our track. Check with people in your area. Someone surely has a used engine for cheap. My friend and I bought a spare for a $100. It was still fine. Should make sure you buy one with valid seal. Oldest seal are no longer legal

4

The bigger issue is that someone could always claim they had to weld the block to fix a crack, but who knows if they are bypassing a seal or modifying any internal tolerance. The rules are strict for a reason because cheaters will exploit any leeway given.

That being said, tech at the club level is typically pretty lax. I’d run it welded locally until told otherwise, which might never happen.

5

You can’t weld or epoxy it. A short block is the cheapest route to repair it. Your track may or may not enforce it but the Briggs will not allow it. As mentioned above it may be worth asking your local track. They are not required to adopt and enforce the Briggs rules.

6

Thanks everyone. I decided I’ll JB weld it because I am just practicing for now. Before I start racing I’ll get a new short block. I don’t even want to look like I’m cheating even if I know I’m not. A short block is $380 which is kind of cheap considering it is sealed and you can’t just replace individual parts.

I’ll be racing at New Castle and Whiteland and both state they follow the Briggs rules but IDK how tough the would be about enforcement. Especially since I won’t be any good for a while.

7

We only pull top 3 to tech at Whiteland.

8

I’d consider using a hypodermic needle to inject epoxy or CA adhesive into the crack as a sealer… and then just leave it. The real question is WHY is it cracked? it’s hard to believe that a crack in that location hasn’t been caused by something that would mess OTHER things up also… but who knows.

9

The block is usually made of aluminum alloy. If the casting is clean you can usually TIG weld aluminum. Epoxy may work, but I would rather TIG weld the crack. Take it to a welding shop that does aluminum TIG welding and can weld cast aluminum . I had a aluminum oil pan on my van that cracked and it welded up fine.

Thanks

Joe

1 Like
10

Someone sold you a package with a cracked 206 block. I would start by asking them to take it back or at very least discount it by the cost of a new short block

1 Like
11

Yeah I tried that but didn’t work. I’ll consider it a $400 lesson to wipe off the engine and look closely for cracks next time. It was still a good deal even with buying a new short block.

Based on where it’s cracked I’m guessing the mounted it with the engine in a bind and that’s why it cracked. I like working on things so not a big deal to me. It’s weird to me how many people send these engines to a builder when it’s pretty easy to do all the work to “build” one of these engines.

I’m going to open up the block grind and weld the crack and then use it as a practice engine.

1 Like
12

Thanks. That’s what I was thinking. I can TIG steel okay but I am terrible at TIG welding aluminum. Plus I don’t have a TIG welder. I have a buddy in FL that is an amazing fabricator so I’m gonna just ship it to him.

1 Like
13

Welding greasy aluminum rarely goes well. Good luck.

14

Yeah I know but worst case it doesn’t work and so just throw it away. My friend won’t charge me for welding so I’d only be out of the shipping cost and my time.