Could This Cracked Head be Fixed?

[howeitsdone]

In the middle a rebuild and finally got to the head only to find a slight crack in the exhaust on #1. Does this look like something a machine shop could fix? I'm having a hard time finding an 87-99 head in my area to replace so looking into any other options possible.

 

 

 

[gogmorgo]

Could potentially be ground down and welded back up, then cut out for a valve seat insert to be put in. Depends on how deep the crack goes.
Properly rebuilding the head involves a trip to a machine shop to have it surfaced. If you ask a shop they’ll probably want to look at the thing before giving you an answer. 

[Pete M]

pullapart north shows an 88 in stock.  no idea what's left of it of course. 

[The86manche]

There's an 89 in a local yard to me I could pull the head off. Shipping wouldn't be cheap I'm sure though.. 

But I'd say no that can't be fixed..

[AZJeff]

Given that 4.0 heads of that variation are a dime a dozen in junkyards, why spend the money to resurrect a cracked head?  Remember, repairing cracked heads is a skill that not every shop is equally competent in performing.

[pizzaman09]

I have to imagine a used head is less expensive than that work.

[cruiser54]

[75sv1]

Did a search on Car-Parts.inc.com.

Tallant Bros in Cummins Ga has two RENIX heads for $100 each. Welding Cast iron, you have to heat the part up. Then weld it. Then heat it up again, and it needs to cool slowly. Either a thermal barrier, such as lime, or an oven.

[howeitsdone]

Thanks all. Found a whole Renix motor for $100 an hour north. Going to get it Saturday. Maybe I'll use the head to practice cast iron welding skills that I'll never use.