GL1100 head crack repairs

[colemjo4]

Help! anybody ever cracked the head over torquing the little 6mm bolt under the head oil return passage? any idea how to weld it? damn antisieze anyway!

 

[AApple]

Depending on how far up in the head it goes, it could certainly be welded by a competent welder/machine shop. That area is mainly for the oil drain back from the head into the engine case, so there's not anything under pressure there. I've welded plenty of aluminuminum stuff like that in the past, before my welder got stolen... :rant:

 

[Omega Man]

If the crack is small enough would JB weld fill it and work?

~O~

 

[dan filipi]

If the crack is small enough would JB weld fill it and work?

~O~

A weld would stop the crack from progressing. JB would not.

Never heard anyone cracking it there, or anywhere for that matter.
I'd be looking for possibly some obstruction that made it crack.
Did you install the head bolts to full torque then the little bolt last?

 

[Ansimp]

Big hands little bolt :doh:

 

[slabghost]

Since I don't know how to weld aluminum and don't have the welder for it. I'd try the solder to fix it or drill it to a larger bolt and tap it. Loctite in an aluminum bolt then redrill and tap for the correct bolt.

 

[dan filipi]

Hey that's a clever idea with the aluminum bolt :good:

 

[slabghost]

On one bike the threads were so far gone I tapped a larger hole for a thick brass fitting then retapped for the correct bolt.

 

[dan filipi]

On one bike the threads were so far gone I tapped a larger hole for a thick brass fitting then retapped for the correct bolt.

There ya go, brass is easier to find too!

 

[slabghost]

Also already had a hole so it was centered. Tapping threads in brass is not fun though.

 

[AApple]

Since I don't know how to weld aluminum and don't have the welder for it. I'd try the solder to fix it or drill it to a larger bolt and tap it. Loctite in an aluminum bolt then redrill and tap for the correct bolt.

:headscratch: :headscratch: Huh?
I understood that he put a crack in the head where the bolt goes thru to the engine case...I'm not understanding how drilling/tapping the hole will correct a cracked head? Then again...it's EARLY in da mornin, too.... :lazy: :smilie_happy:

 

[slabghost]

Since I don't know how to weld aluminum and don't have the welder for it. I'd try the solder to fix it or drill it to a larger bolt and tap it. Loctite in an aluminum bolt then redrill and tap for the correct bolt.

:headscratch: :headscratch: Huh?
I understood that he put a crack in the head where the bolt goes thru to the engine case...I'm not understanding how drilling/tapping the hole will correct a cracked head? Then again...it's EARLY in da mornin, too.... :lazy: :smilie_happy:

Help! anybody ever cracked the head over torquing the little 6mm bolt under the head oil return passage? any idea how to weld it? damn antisieze anyway!
I think the head bolts are a bit larger than 6mm. It sounds more to me like he split a threaded boss that holds the bolt.

 

[OldWrench]

When we weld cracks in any metal, be it aluminum or steel we generally drill holes in front of each end of the crack and then weld, this keeps the metal from continuing to crack. Obviously this depends where the crack is and if it is accessible. I have seen JB used for certain repairs with success but have also seen plenty of failures with it.

If you aren’t experienced at welding aluminum I would recommend taking it to someone that specializes in aluminum welding, especially on a head.

 

[AApple]

Guess we need clarification on what bwoke....I thought we were talking about the small bolt on the bottom of the head....wouldn't be the first time I have been cornfused.... :headscratch:
:hihihi:

gwhdin7

• AApple
• Jul 8, 2012

Small bolt on bottom edge of head. I dint know there was one there when I pulled the heads off...

 

[slabghost]

Could be me that's confuzzled. I dunno!

 

[Anonymous]

Guess we need clarification on what bwoke....I thought we were talking about the small bolt on the bottom of the head....wouldn't be the first time I have been cornfused.... :headscratch:
:hihihi:

gwhdin7

• AApple
• Jul 8, 2012

Small bolt on bottom edge of head. I dint know there was one there when I pulled the heads off...

Well if that isn't the bolt that broke, then we both are confused

 

[Ansimp]

If it was only you two that were confused I wouldn't feel so bad :headscratch:

 

[Steve83]

He cracked the head by over-torquing the small, 6mm bolt at the bottom of the head. It is a 6mm bolt. He lust wants to know the best way to repair the cracked head.

 

[Ansimp]

Is the bolt necessary or can the head be welded up eliminating the need for the bolt?

 

[Steve83]

The bolt is necessary. Serious oil leak without it.