G'day from Western Australia

[mikeC]

A simple gearbox behind the rev counter should resolve both ratio and direction - anyone got a box of Meccano gears?

[Oz singer]

Thanks mikeyr , you gave me good info there.

[mister bridger]

I've just finished the A-series swap (Morris Minor 1098cc) and the MM speedo cable was a direct fit to the Singer speedo and works as it should. No tacho in mine. It still needs a bit of a tune up but drives so much better than the knackered original engine/3 speed box. I had a prop made from scratch which was surprisingly cheap and easy to do. One of the original engine mount brackets had to be cut off as it fouled the dynamo. The biggest worry was the carb being so close to the bonnet, but with a cone filter fitted it clears by a few millimetres. I also had a new rad made so the system could be pressurised, which wasn't cheap! Needless to say I've kept all the original parts in case a future owner should be foolish enough to want to replace them.

[Oz singer]

I had a chat with the guys I am racing/regularity cars with , about swapping my Singer engine for a Morris one. This didn't went down really well with them !! So I will visit one last shop next week about welding cast iron. Cross fingers ....
Anyway still chipping away at the frame, slowly I must add. Fabricated/machined new spring pins, and started to refurbish the front axle.

[jeans_old_man]

It looks like there is some nice engineering going on there!

If the crack is in the water jacket the usual fix is to bolt a plate over it sealed with Araldite. Another alternative is to have it 'stitched' by Metalock (see their website). Although this technique is not always possible.

I had my block and head 'fusion' welded. This is where they heat up the casting in a small brick oven and melt cast iron into the cracks. But that was fifty years ago and I cannot find anyone who is prepared to do it these days. I have seen blocks welded with Nickel rods and also gas welded with brass. I have also heard that laser welding is possible even in hard to reach places such as plug holes. You need to find someone who knows what they are doing - don't let Bert Bodger 'have a go'!

Good luck. Most of us have a cracked block in our spares pile and would love to know how you get on.

[Peter McKercher]

I have had both my blocks stitched and the repair is permanent and essentially invisible. Any machine shop should be able to do it. All that is required are the proper screws with the correct thread pitch for the job. Time consuming but not complicated.

[telco.2]

I've had 3 '30's Singer blocks successfully repaired by metal stitching. The current six that is in my car at the moment had quite a long clack just below the block face on the left hand side. This has been a total success so our grandson's nine sports block has been repaired using the same method by a guy in Oakham UK. This looked as if it had something heavy dropped on it from a great height! It also has been a success and pressure tested. Obviously price depends on the length of the crack as well as its position, but if you end up with a usable block it will be cheaper than a new casting!!

[Oz singer]

Ok, this the cracks I am dealing with ,

Unfortunately, lot of shops are not set up to deal with those kind of cracks . Yes, one on the side of the block no problems. A cracked Head ? Yes, lot of them can do it.

But here you do not have room for stiches or Metalock. Yes I talked to them ! Welding ? Yes ! But shops who own a furnace are rare and interested in the big $$ jobs. We are in Mining companies territory here !!
The side of the block is the easy bit, cracks around the studs well ??
Anyway one last shop to visit, they have a furnace on site, and advertise that they repair cast iron . I haven't called them, I will go there with the block in hand and talk to someone. Easier !
I am definitely crossing fingers here !!

[Oz singer]

Woohoo !! The block will be repaired !!
That last company on my list is able to repair my cast iron block. When I ask them if they may repair cast iron the reply was : Yes absolutely !

What ?? I must say that I went speechless for a few seconds, as I was not really hopeful anyway. So big smile again !!

Not going to be a cheap exercise but it will be done correctly in a furnace and fusion welded. As I need to re bore/sleeve the block, the distortion occurring with the heath shouldn't be a big factor .

Ready now to order some bits like a sport camshaft and other from Hardwicks. Do you know if they are quick to send parts ?

[mikeyr]

Hardwick shipping time varies, what I am receiving tomorrow I ordered long ago. Other times, they ship same week. I have never tried politely asking if they can speed things up a bit, I just patiently wait, but you might want to try that. It is part time for them and they have a non-Singer life.

[jeans_old_man]

Please post photos of your repaired block. If nothing else it will show what can be done.

I think Peter underestimates what is required with metalstitching. Cast iron repairs are carried out by peening Metalock keys into prepared apertures. The Keys are formed into a multi-dumbbell shape from special nickel alloys. Being highly ductile they can be peened into a metal-to-metal condition and become almost integral with the parent metal of the component under repair. These Keys are manufactured in a variety of sizes to suit each individual job. The high strength of the Keys ensures the return of a high percentage of the original strength.

[Peter McKercher]

There are obviously at least two ways to do the stitching. I have had two blocks done with a process that entailed drilling a series of overlapping holes and screws along the crack, then grinding flush. It is time consuming obviously, but not complex. One of the blocks I had done twenty years ago and have had no issues.

[Oz singer]

Yes, stitching and Metalock are two method of repairs . Same but different, each with their own advantages. No need for a furnace as well and can be done on site.
The engineer I talked to , will send me pictures of the preparation work before the welding itself for me to accept. So I'll post them as well.

Thanks Mike about Hardwicks, I must order now !

[telco.2]

The cracks in my 2 litre block were similar to yours - extending into the face between a stud and 2 water passageways. I was dubious I admit, but the end result was a complete success. So here's hoping for fusion welding and PLEEEASE can we see a photo of the result Bill

[telco.2]

Just thought I'd post a pic of my grandson's sports 9 block after repair. It gives a good idea of what's possible with stitching